DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK ?

[Lee Borgersen]

  9/11/12      DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q:... It seems like there are fewer songbirds around now. When do they start to migrate?

A:... Many songbirds disperse from their home range in late summer. They are "branching out" and searching for different types of food that will increase their fat reserves to help them on their long migration. Lack of abundant food supplies cause most songbirds to leave in late August through mid-October, though some Minnesota birds begin their fall migration as early as mid-July. Warmer winters and open areas of water keep some songbirds such as robins and bluebirds, around all winter.