Marilyn B.
Coalmont, TN

The week of Sept. 10th, we had more than 16 ruby-throated hummingbirds that we could count at once; that included the half dozen that we had all summer. They consumed about 3/4 gallon of nectar daily for nearly a week. Only the "regulars" are still here now. It was fascinating to watch them fight over the four feeders we have out for them. We could sit and watch their "busy-ness" for hours.

On Sept. 20th I saw my first rose-breasted grosbeak (male), and the next day I saw him again, along with 3 females. The males are really flashy birds, with their red bibs standing out against their bold black and white feathers!

This photo is from the spring migration.

Bob H.
San Francisco, CA

I went to my former hometown on the Lake Erie shore to experience fall songbird migration and witness hawks being funneled down the Detroit River as they look for thermals that will send them south. Boreal birds of note were Cape May warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, black-throated blue warbler, Blackpoll warbler, Tennessee warbler, and red-eyed vireo.

The numbers were down from previous visits but it was a magical experience none the same. Now I'm back in San Francisco scanning the local bird reports in search of boreal vagrants. Thanks for doing all you can to protect the gem to the north.

Jan C.
Mooresville, NC

This time of year for me is called "Fat Hummingbird" season.  It occurs around the autumnal equinox.  The hummers are getting ready to leave and they are so heavy, they can barely lift upwards.  I hate to see them go but I know they will return next year if they possibly can.  My backyard is welcome to all birds.  I keep the feeders full and clean.  I offer fresh water.  The rewards of a non-chemical yard have brought a treasure trove of my winged friends.  I look forward every day to the many varieties this year.

Amy A.
Monaca, PA

We have a few red-breasted nuthatches visiting our bird feeder. I haven't seen any in our backyard in a number of years, and I always enjoy watching them flit from our feeder to our trees to crack sunflower seeds. They are fearless little things. Several years ago, my brother was filling the tube feeder and one landed on it while he was still pouring in the sunflower seeds!

Patricia S.
Costa Rica

We look forward to seeing the return of the Baltimore oriole each fall here on our coffee farm in Costa Rica. Sadly, this small plot of land is the only Smithsonian-certified bird-friendly farm in this country. Various migratory birds as well as our year-round birds come to our balcony for a special treat of bananas we always have hanging for them. There is a flowering tree -- with blossoms the same wonderful orange as the orioles -- they love to explore looking for insects. With the last of the blossoms they leave to fly north again. Thank you for helping us take care of all of this earth's animals.

Marion U.
Chatham, NY

We spent the last two weeks of August and the first week in September on Casco Bay's Long Island, 6 miles out by ferry from Portland, Maine. We saw red-eyed vireos, wood peewees, plus Canada warblers, black-throated green warblers, magnolia warblers, redstarts, and common yellowthroats. Whether they had migrated from farther north or had nested on the island is hard to say because the nesting range of all these species is quite large. We were lucky that most were still in their vibrant breeding plumage, or nearly so. There were actually only 2 days when we saw these birds -- August 21st and August 26th -- both times in small, mixed flocks enjoying the insects (fall web worm caterpillars especially) that were being awakened by the warm morning sunshine.

Kate B.
Grass Valley, CA

Heard our first sandhill cranes overhead on September 12, 2007, a little earlier than any other year. We heard they arrived at Cosumnes River Preserve later that week.

Mark K. & family
Troy, MI

We've seen a few red-breasted nuthatches at our feeders at our cottage on Elbow Lake in central lower Michigan (NE Clare County). We love watching the various birds coming to our feeders, including all of the woodpeckers. We have counted 5 different species, including the downy, hairy, red-headed, red-breasted and pileated woodpeckers. Common flickers, too, are around but don't come to our feeders. We see them eating ants on the ground. We also participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count and hope to also add to the Christmas Bird Count this year. I need to probably take the hummingbird feeder down soon as the weather here in Michigan is turning and the hummers must be headed south by now.

Skip M.
Flower Mound, TX

Last winter, I saw many yellow-rumped warblers in the trees around my house and neighborhood. I look forward to seeing our winter visitors, which also include both ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets.

Teresa S.
Emporia, VA

I have seen two or three flocks of Canadian Geese flying in "V" formation in their fall migration (sounding out and changing positions!!) It is fascinating to see these large birds do this (fly over my community every year!!)

Kathy R.
Wilmot, NH

At the end of our summer stay in central New Hampshire, we see a number of species of migrating warblers. Typically, they include American redstarts, yellow-rumped warblers, black-and-white warblers, black-throated blue warblers, black-throated green warblers, magnolia warblers, Canada warblers, Blackburnian warblers, Nashville warblers, and rarely, Wilson's and northern parula warblers. Breeders in our area include ovenbirds, chestnut-sided warblers, common yellowthroats and many of the above.

Christiane V.
Brussels, Belgium

Living in Brussels, we too can watch here lots of birds arriving or leaving the country but each year we notice sadly that the amounts are smaller -- reasons being obvious and known by all of us. A sky without birds, a sky with only airplanes and pollution is desolating, it is not a sky anymore. May your actions to protect birds wherever they come from, wherever they are going to, migrators and emigrators, be rewarding. Birds are a symbol of liberty, courage, diversity, beauty and intelligence. Hopefully they will always be protected and cherished. Let us keep the earth -- this global village -- a natural planet where birds are respected. That's the least we can do!

Toby C.
Menlo Park, CA

Every year about this time I hear a northern saw-whet owl in the night, usually just once or twice while they pass through. Their funny little wail is very distinctive and wakes me up even if it is some distance away. I kept one once in the house for a few weeks while it healed from a road injury, fortunately not serious. It was completely trusting from the first moment and ate from my hand.

Marie B.
North Baldwin, NY

First chickadee arrived in my Baldwin garden yesterday.

Mitchell C.
Raleigh, NC

The week of Sept. 10th, there was a gaggle of Canada geese at our townhouse development. It was surprising because there's no large body of water around though there's a very small creek near the property. The birds pecked at the grass on the lawns morning and evening for several days, then were gone.

Sheila A.
Devon, England

We have a variety of birds which we look forward to seeing every year and some species all year round. We have a family of buzzards who visit and raise their young. We have owls, rooks, crows, gulls, thrushes, sparrows, robins and other garden birds which visit the feeder in our garden. We also have wood pigeons. This summer has not been good for us weather-wise but it doesn't seem to have deterred many of the birds.

Gerald D.
Davis, CA

Sept 23: first red-shafted flicker call and sighting as one of our winter residents.

Kylie W.
Sarasota, FL

On Sept. 21st we saw an eagle but it most definitely was not a bald eagle. My dad thinks it is a brown eagle but I researched and think there is no such thing. Then I came to the conclusion that it is a golden eagle. That idea was shot down when I read on multiple websites that golden eagles live up north and we live in Florida. It was very large and brown with a yellow beak and yellow feet. What could this mystery bird be?

Avril L.
Tryon, NC

The week of Sept. 3rd I noticed a stranger amongst our bird population here. A dark-eyed junco. So far I have only observed the one. A little early, I thought?

Jamaka P.
Pinon Hills, CA

I haven't seen any migratory birds, but we have in our area sparrows, finches (purple, I think), mourning doves, rock doves (pigeons), crows, hummingbirds (not sure which species), blue jays and mockingbirds.

Anne L.
New York, NY

I have spotted several warblers including Tennessee, Magnolia, Connecticut, northern parula, plus many more, also vireos and shore birds.

Diane P.
Germantown, MD

I get song sparrows, house sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, mourning doves, starlings (on occasion), crows (on occasion), chickadees (on occasion), American robins, mockingbirds (on occasion), red-winged blackbirds, and hawks (on rare occasions).

Roger U.
San Francisco, CA

I didn't see the birds depicted, but saw flocks of robins, which I rarely see in my backyard and adjacent yards. Also, saw sparrows and maybe juncos. This was all in September.

Jerome D.
Gold Canyon, AZ

I saw a treeful each of yellow-rumped warblers and of cedar waxwings on a bike trail between Redwing and Welsh Village along the Cannon River in Minnesota on October 10th. Are either of these species considered boreal forest types?