A bird fallout can be an amazing experience, but what is it, exactly? How can birders plan for these spectacular events and take advantage of this type of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
What Is a Fallout?
A fallout happens when birds literally “fall out” of the sky in unusually high numbers and extreme diversity. Fallouts most typically happen during migration when large number of birds are already on the move, and are often caused by a combination of unique geography and difficult weather that concentrates birds into a small, specific area. Migrant songbirds – warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, vireos – are the most common fallout birds, though fallouts can involve seabirds pushed inland or other types of birds that are strongly impacted by weather systems. Once a birder understands what causes a fallout, they will be better able to predict and plan for these amazing events.
When Will a Bird Fallout Happen?
The best way to predict a potential fallout is by monitoring the weather. Because strong winds and heavy storms cause these migration interruptions, the appearance of those weather patterns during peak migration periods can indicate a fallout may be imminent. A large concentration of birds can appear on radar screens in areas where moisture is not being recorded, and if the path of those migrating birds will intersect a storm front, high pressure system, or other weather barrier, the birds are likely to take shelter in the closest reasonable refuge. For a true fallout, the birds should be offshore or heading toward coastal areas, which will help concentrate their numbers when they finally reach land after battling the poor weather.
Finding Fallouts
While a fallout can happen at any location, certain hotspots are better known for spectacular results when the conditions are suitable because of their natural geography, habitat diversity, and their position along popular migration flyways. Ideal fallout conditions are often found at:
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Dauphin Island, Alabama
- Fort Morgan, Alabama
- High Island, Texas
- Joshua Creek, Oakville, Ontario
- Park Point, Minnesota
- Point Pelee, Ontario
- South Padre Island, Texas
Additional birding patches near these top locations can also yield fallout action, and birders can easily find suitable fallout areas as they become more familiar with their own local birding region.
Birding a Fallout
Fallouts can be very sudden, and every minute the birding action can change. Depending on how the weather is changing and the urgency the birds experience during migration, the entire fallout may only last a few hours, or it could continue for several days as birds remain in the area until conditions improve for them to move on. To be prepared…
- Keep a field bag packed, including a notebook, field guide, optics, and other necessary equipment so it is always ready.
- Keep the car’s gas tank filled and consider arranging carpools with other birders to better access crowded hotspots.
- Have proper payment ready for entrance fees or keep annual passes and membership cards available for fast use.
- Study the route to fallout areas so no time is wasted on wrong turns or roundabout routes that may peak birding times.
- Be familiar with typical fallout birds, including warblers, tanagers, flycatchers, vireos, orioles, and other songbirds for fast identification.
- Use a fallout opportunity to plan a birding big day that will be astonishing with its ease and overall diversity.
- Be patient at popular locations, understanding the birders may travel significant distances to join in and proper birding etiquette is essential.
- Practice suitable caution to safeguard exhausted birds that may be very unwary as they frantically search for food.
Being familiar with what causes a fallout, where to find one, and how to participate in this spectacular occasion can increase the chances that any birder may be able to enjoy an unforgettable birding experience. While fallouts are not common, a well-prepared birder may just be able to take advantage of one.
