So far the only fall-migrating bird I’ve seen this fall is this Swainson’s Thrush. I usually spot one every few years. They eat berries and insects so they don’t visit my feeders, but they will drop in for a drink or a bath as they continue on their long journey to Central and South America for the winter.
I have a feeling the thrush will have some company very soon. A stubborn closed-off low is finally pushing out of southern Wisconsin and a strong cold front is moving in later today from Canada. It will be much too wicked for migrating birds to fly today with gusts as high as 50 miles per hour in most of the upper Midwest, so they will land and wait it out. But tomorrow, after the front passes, conditions will be very favorable for migration.
When I open the shades on Saturday morning I won’t be surprised at all to see a large flock of White-throated Sparrows hopping around under my arborvitaes, and there’s a good chance they’ll be joined by the first Slate-colored Juncos of the season.