Fall 2016 – Week 5 Update

October 3 – 10, 2016

This week saw a large jump in bird strikes (table 1.) from 16 last week to 39 this week, our largest amount this season.  Starting last Monday and Tuesday we saw large numbers taper off as hurricane Matthew made its way up the coast.  As hurricane Matthew decreased in intensity bird strikes began rising once again on Sunday (table 2.).  This follows closely to what was predicted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology BirdCast from last week. Interestingly 18 of the 39 birds found this week were from one route (table 3.).  Normally this route has regular window strikes but this week in particular saw a larger than normal proportion of birds striking windows.  Last week one of our more interesting stats was the 50/50 ratio of dead to live birds which is very uncommon.  This week we again saw a near tie of 22 dead to 17 live birds (table 4.).

Table 1.) Total species found between 10/03/2016-10/10/2016

Species	Number of Birds Found
Bay-brested warbler	1
Black-throated blue warbler	2
Black-throated green warbler	1
Blackpoll warbler	1
Brown creeper	1
Brown thrasher	1
Common yellowthroat	1
Dark-eyed junco	1
Golden-crowned kinglet	1
Gray catbird	2
House wren	1
Magnolia warbler	2
Mourning dove	1
Nashville warbler	1
Northern parula	1
Ovenbird	3
Song sparrow	2
Swainson’s thrush	1
Tennessee warbler	3
Unknown species	3
White throated sparrow	3
Winter wren	1
Wood thrush	1
Yellow-bellied sapsucker	3
Grand total	39

Table 2.) Number of birds found each day between 10/03/2016-10/10/2016

Date	Number of Birds Found
10/03/2016	8
10/04/2016	8
10/05/2016	67
10/06/2016	3
10/07/2016	5
10/09/2016	7
10/10/2016	2
Grand total	39

Table 3.) Number of birds found in each route between 10/03/2016-10/10/2016

Route	Number of Birds Found
1	1
4	5
5	2
6	1
7	18
9	9
Herr’s Island	1
Oakland	2
Grand total	39

Table 3.) Number of dead versus stunned birds found between 10/03/2016-10/10/2016

Status	Number of Birds Found
Dead	22
Stunned	17
Grand total	39

This week we should see moderate to heavy flights as the week begins with favorable conditions wide spread across the region.  as the week progresses, remnants of hurricane Matthew will begin to pass through the Great Lakes region meaning potential changes in migration paths.  As hurricane Matthew moves out to sea a disturbance moving east should bring moderate to heavy flights across the region.  Make sure to keep watch on what hurricane Matthew does through the week as any changes to the storm could have impacts on us inland.

Keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for continued updates throughout the fall season.  For information on how to get involved or volunteer, email birdsafepgh@gmail.com for more info.  Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@birdsafepgh) and Twitter (@birdsafePGH) as well!

Dead birds are taken to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and become specimens in the Section of Birds.

Live birds are transported to the Animal Rescue League’s Wildlife Center for rehabilitation and release.