The first hint of cooler weather touched Northern Virginia in the overnight hours, suggesting shorter days and the start of fall not too far away. It brings with it, too, not just the start of school again but awareness of the continuing migration of creatures. Those that came north are heading south again. There are […]

Vol. 12 Issue 4, Winter 2007 By Joe Coleman Most birds migrate on a regular basis and more or less follow a regular route. However, a number of species which inhabit and spend most of their lives in the tundra or boreal forest in North America irrupt out of their normal wintering grounds every few years. Incidentally, […]

Vol. 11 Issue 4, Winter 2006 By Bonnie Eaton Down through the ages, in cultures around the world, to see a flock of birds was an omen, good or bad, depending upon the species, their color, and in which direction they were flying. Probably knowing this instinctively (as women do), after a highly successful year in […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Ginger Walker Loudoun County provides a unique wintering environment for migrating birds. While our area certainly isn’t a tropical haven, it doesn’t experience the harsh winter weather of New England or the Midwest, either. As a result, Loudoun residents can anticipate migrant visitors each winter as well as enjoy some […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Nicole Hamilton Dragonflies:  The Green Darner Dragonfly migration is less understood. Like Monarchs, they begin to travel south in late summer. Dragonflies find their way south using natural landscape features, such as seacoasts and large rivers. Migration takes place in large swarms. In the swarm there is no actual leader, […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Nicole Hamilton  In the world of insects – specifically butterflies and dragonflies – it takes two generations to complete a round-trip migration. Adults migrate south in the fall and their offspring return north in the spring. Generally when people think about migration, they think of birds. Rarely […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Leslie McCasker Many types of fish migrate on a regular basis, on time scales ranging from daily to annual, and with distances ranging from a few yards to thousands of miles. The purpose usually relates to either feeding or breeding; in some cases the reason for migration is still […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Leslie McCasker Some examples of migrating mammals include marine mammals (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), and terrestrial mammals such as the pronghorn. The most recognizable and local mammals that migrate are bats. Some of these mammals follow a specific route during the course of a migration, while others may […]

Vol. 10 Issue 3, Fall 2005 By Leslie McCasker This article is composed of a series of smaller articles dedicated to migration. Links to the other articles are at the bottom of this page. Migration is one of nature’s greatest mysteries. Every year birds, mammals, fish, butterflies and other insects move to climates where temperatures are […]

Vol. 8 Issue 4, Fall 2003 By Cliff Fairweather Winters in Loudoun County are pretty mild compared to more northerly regions, last winter notwithstanding.  Nonetheless, winter here still poses a challenge to the survival of wildlife.  For most animals, energy is harder to obtain and easier to lose in winter than in any other season.  […]