We asked BioGems Defenders like you to tell us -- in your own words –- what kinds of birds you’ve spotted so far this season and why you appreciate their visits. With the arrival of autumn, millions of our most cherished songbirds leave their nesting grounds in Canada's boreal forest to migrate southward. Soon, they arrive to rest and feed in many of our own backyards. In the spring, they return again in a burst of birdsong as they make their way northward back to the boreal. Below is a random sampling of the bird stories we received. If you would like to share one, please send us a note and be sure to include photos if you have them.

Have you spotted any of these birds near you?

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.

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Photo Credits: Blue Headed Vireo (top image) © Tom Vezo, Minden Pictures; Cape May warbler © Bruce Coleman/Kent Foster; Red-breasted nuthatch © John A.L. Cooke, Animals Animals; Sandhill crane © Tim Fitzharris, Minden Pictures; The following images were courtesy of eNature.com: Ruby-throated Hummingbird © Ron Austing; Baltimore Oriole © Rob & Ann Simpson; Common Yellowthroat © Herbert Clarke; Pileated Woodpecker © Ron Austing