Spot Seasonal Orioles: Comprehensive Guide to NC Backyard Birdwatching

North Carolina Fall Migration: A Guide for Birdwatchers

As the fall migration begins, North Carolina welcomes a variety of cool-weather bird species. From October onwards, residents and bird enthusiasts can expect to see a colorful assortment of avian visitors, as confirmed by the NC Audubon Society.

Anticipated Migratory Birds in Raleigh, NC

The NC Audubon Society has mentioned the arrival of several colorful bird species. Some of these include Swamp Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, and White-crowned Sparrow. Additional bird species anticipated to migrate into the area as suggested by the BirdCast’s Migration Dashboard include Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hermit Thrush, and Savannah Sparrow. For a detailed list of migratory birds entering your county, visit ebird.org and set your filters to your county and selected month.

Familiar Backyard Birds in NC During Fall/Winter

Finches, siskins, and orioles are some of the birds that often visit North Carolina during fall and winter. However, their presence can vary based on numerous factors, says Mel Green, a member of NC’s New Hope Audubon Society. If you’re interested in knowing which birds are likely to visit your area, you can check websites like Finch Forecast that predict the migration of northern finch species.

Tips for Attracting Birds to Your Backyard This Fall/Winter

To attract these vibrant birds to your backyard, you can follow these tips from All About Birds, a bird knowledge database by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Pine Siskins, for instance, are attracted to thistle or nyjer feeders and small seeds such as millet or hulled sunflower seeds. Purple Finches, on the other hand, are drawn to black oil sunflower seeds. Visit The Cornell Lab’s Project FeederWatch for more tips on attracting common feeder birds.

Do Hummingbirds Visit Raleigh Backyards in Fall/Winter?

Yes, hummingbirds, particularly the Rufous Hummingbirds and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, have been known to visit Raleigh feeders during the cold months. For more on how to identify these small birds, you can refer to ebird.org/species/bkchum and ebird.org/species/rufhum.

Interesting Fall Migration Occurrences in NC

Interestingly, an American Flamingo also made its appearance in North Carolina during this year’s fall migration, largely due to Hurricane Idalia. Although they are currently in the Pamlico Sound, they can still be viewed from a significant distance.