As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Songbird carnage hits Duluth


In Paul Douglas’ weather column on the Star Tribune yesterday, Todd Nelson reports on an odd phenomenon on the North Shore over the weekend.

I had one of the worst driving trips along Minnesota’s North Shore this weekend. While the fall colors where a treat to look at, I couldn’t help but notice how many small birds were being hit by cars.

It seemed as though these small warbler, wren-like birds were sure having a tough time combating the gusty winds on Saturday. My only thought is that they were so tired out from the wind and potential migration that they were unable to dodge oncoming traffic.

The drive switched from enjoyable to somber as we noticed more and more small birds on the side of the road… anybody have any ideas on what was going on here?

We have an answer, thanks to Sam Cook at the Duluth News Tribune today, who reports that at least 68 songbirds had died as of Monday. They were migrating when pushed along by northwest winds and to avoid Lake Superior, they hugged the shoreline.


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