Millions of Birds | October Wings

We made it through summer! Cooler days are here and October is bringing millions of birds through our state on their way south. Tiny warblers and sparrows are already passing through, raptors are soaring overhead, and before long the beloved Sandhill Cranes will show up.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos are showing up as October unfolds, along with White-crowned Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Wilson's Warblers and Orange-crowned Warblers. White-crowned Sparrows are easy to spot thanks to their bold head stripes, and Chipping Sparrows like to forage on the ground. Yellow-rumped Warblers stay busy hopping through the trees hunting for food. Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers take a little more patience, since they love to hide among the leaves and branches.

Raptors are migrating too, and they're clever about it. They ride rising columns of warm air called thermals to gain altitude and travel without spending much energy. Watching a hawk circle higher and higher, then glide away, is one of the coolest things you can see all season.

Start listening for the Sandhill Cranes as they arrive for the winter. You'll often hear their unmistakable calls long before the flock comes into view, and seeing hundreds of cranes gathered together is one of the best signs of the changing season.

How You Can Help Birds

Providing a healthy habitat makes a big difference to the birds we love. Our backyards can help and it's easy with a few choices:Leave the leaves. Fallen leaves under your trees and shrubs shelter the insects and other small creatures birds rely on for food.

Plant natives. Native plants and natural vegetation give migrating and wintering birds food and cover.
Offer water. All birds need it! Use a dish no deeper than 2 inches, or add rocks so small birds stay safe.
Provide the right snacks. Mealworms and suet (especially suet with insects and fruit) can be a welcome meal to any migrants who visit your yard.

October Event Highlights | Visit our website to learn more about these exciting events:

Saturday, October 3: Fold a Peace Crane with Lizzie Roberts
Saturday, October 10: Leave the Leaves with Laurel Ladwig
Saturday, October 17: Bird Outing and Migration Talk with Josiah Lavender
Saturday, October 24: Hawks Aloft, Inc. and their Owl Ambassadors in-store

We're in the thick of fall migration, so set out a birdbath, hang some suet and keep your field guide close. Watch the trees for warblers, check the ground for sparrows, scan the sky for raptors and listen for the first Sandhill Cranes calling overhead. Migration is happening all around us, and every new arrival is a reminder of how remarkable a bird's journey is.​

Thank you for shopping at our store, sharing your love of birds, and letting us be part of your birdwatching adventures.

With gratitude,

PD St. Clair, WBU Albuquerque East & WBU Santa Fe