How Do Hurricanes Affect Migrating Birds?

[elleng]

'Each year, migratory birds cross the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season. Most birds wait for favorable winds and weather before starting a migratory flight, so seldom strike out over water during a hurricane, but some birds may be well offshore when a storm begins. Although migrants have enough fat (fuel reserves) to make the 600-mile Gulf crossing in favorable winds, they may not have enough energy to survive if they have to fight against headwinds.'>>>

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/how-do-hurricanes-affect-migrating-birds/

'MY' osprey family, 60 miles south of DC, is still here, fortunately.

[Tanuki]

1. Speaking of migratory birds, I am worried about the Aransas National Wildlife

Refuge, which is right in the path of Harvey. It has been central to the remarkable recovery of whooping cranes from the brink of extinction. They are still critically endangered, but I'm pretty sure they are in the northern part of their migratory range this time of year.

[msongs]

2. plovers from alaska are already arriving in honolulu. now there is a long flight! nt

[Tanuki]

3. That's even a long flight for an airline passenger (traveling in coach)!

Apparently the first whooping cranes arrived in Aransas in mid-September last year, which they said was quite early, and most came later. I would hate to see them have another setback....many perished in a drought a few years ago.
http://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/whooping-cranes-arrive-early-as-habitat-is-prepared/