09/10/2026
🍂Fall Migration ~ What’s Happening Out There ??
As the days shorten and temperatures change, birds begin moving south to their wintering grounds. For some species, the journey is relatively short; others may travel thousands of kilometers.
In Eastern Ontario, fall migration can begin as early as July, with the movement really building through August, September, and October. Some late migrants continue into November.
And there’s an interesting difference from spring: fall migration can be more drawn out and involve many more young birds, making it a great time to observe birds in your backyard.
🐦Who might pop in??
Depending on your location and habitat, you could see:
Warblers ~ Yellow Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler and others
Thrushes ~ Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush
Vireos ~ Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos
Flycatchers ~ Eastern Phoebe and Great Crested Flycatcher
Orioles and Tanagers ~ Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager
Hummingbirds ~ Ruby-throated Hummingbirds heading south
Woodpeckers ~ including migrants and local birds moving around in search of food
Raptors ~ Hawks, Falcons and Eagles, especially along good migration routes
Waterfowl ~ ducks and geese returning or passing through
Shorebirds ~ particularly around wetlands, mudflats and shorelines
🌻 And this connects perfectly to your backyard theme
Fall migrants need energy. A backyard with native plants, berries, insects, water and responsibly maintained feeders can become a valuable stopover.
