Week 11 of the Cape May Songbird Stopover Project brought the full spectrum of fall migration with busy nets, changing winds, and a reminder that weather always has the final say.
The week began on a high note, with a remarkable 618 new birds banded over just two days. On October 26, the team banded 286 individuals, an impressive 267 of which were Yellow-rumped Warblers (Myrtle). The following day, October 27, the trend continued with another strong push of 332 migrants, including 321 Yellow-rumps. Their dominance in the totals marked the height of the species’ late-fall movement through Cape May.
But just as migration is always changing, the weather also shifted. By October 28, the winds began to strengthen and change direction, slowing bird activity. The team still managed to band 109 individuals before conditions deteriorated further.
Then came the second nor’easter of the season, bringing strong, persistent winds that grounded both birds and banders alike. On October 29 and 30, operations were paused for safety, giving the team a chance to focus on data processing and catch up on behind-the-scenes work while waiting out the storm.
By Friday, October 31, the weather finally offered a brief window of calm. The nets reopened for the first two hours of the morning, and 16 birds were banded before the wind picked up once again, forcing an early close to the week’s fieldwork.
Though this week was cut short by the weather, the early flurry of Yellow-rumped Warblers highlighted one of Cape May’s signature migration moments and reminded the team of how dynamic and unpredictable the fall season can be. With migration winding down, every day in the field offers a valuable glimpse into the patterns and persistence of the birds passing through this critical stopover site.
All bird capture, handling, and banding are authorized under appropriate state and federal permits.
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Stephanie Bartlett
