Amazing migration - but of more than birds

[Louise Chambers]

Last Saturday, Corpus Christi being pretty much out of the area affected by Hurricane Rita, John Barrow & I checked out area beaches (South Padre Island, Port Aransas, etc) to see if any unusual birds showed up - often hurricanes will push seabirds inland, etc.

We did see a couple of Magnificent Frigatebirds - plus there were all kinds of terns and shorebirds on the beaches, which suffered some erosion from higher tides and a bit of storm surge. We saw some swallows, mostly barn swallows. Have not seen any martins since late (?) July?... memory fails me.

So what did we see in truly amazing numbers? Dragonflies and butterflies, in mind boggling numbers - flying over the beaches and dunes, over the roads, and just about everywhere. I can't ID very many types of dragonflies, so I'll just say that I have never ever seen so many - it was like watching a martin roost, there were that many. And the butterflies, oh my gosh! A few finally blew into the car and were ID'd as American Snout butterflies. Again, there were so many overhead and all around that it was like watching a sizeable martin roost. Unfortunately, thousands were getting hit and smooshed on bridges and highways, but there were probably enough to make up for the losses. We saw a few shorebirds chasing them on the beach, too. The dragonflies were better able to steer themselves out of traffic.

Later, I did a little reading on American Snouts and learned they sometimes migrate in such substantial numbers that "they darken the sky"

Right now in Corpus hawk migration is in full swing, with Broadwinged hawk numbers peaking. Hummingbirds are also here in full force - I counted 8 at one of our feeders a few minutes ago. Mostly ruby throats and black chins passing through right now. I've never seen anything like the insects and birds moving along the coast this past week before.

[Donnie Hurdt MN]

These things you would probally not have seen in your old home in PA. I am glad you are enjoying your new home in Texas.