A yellow throated warbler is shown. (Scot Stewart photo)
“Birding always bring expectations — especially in spring. Marveling with what actually occurs, enjoying the place, and the day are what ultimately make the expectations inconsequential.” — Anonymous
Spring migration brings new hopes and surprises each day to birders. It is an especially notable time as most birds are molting into or have already gained their fresh breeding plumage and look spectacular. They are often vocal, especially those slated to summer in the area. Males of some species do sing as they move on northward, still trying to find a female, looking for a possible open summer range or other reasons, but this behavior is not well understood. Migration in spring is different from fall’s. In autumn, adults with worn plumage and somewhat worn out from raising young, head south with young, inexperienced young in tow. These young may be seeing humans for only the first or second time when they reach the south shore of Lake Superior, but all are generally silent except for mostly quiet calls to keep tabs of each other while they rest and feed as they continue south.