Wild Journeys on the Wing
the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds and insects
At this time of year, the natural world is in a state of flux. The leaves are changing colour and falling from the trees and many species of birds are migrating. Our summer visitors have already left to their wintering grounds in southern Europe or Africa while our winter visitors are starting to appear. Already, in the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen four skeins of geese flying high in the sky, coming into the country from their breeding grounds in the far north. The winter thrushes (Redwings and Fieldfares) will be arriving soon and, if we’re lucky, so will Waxwings! Most years in Edinburgh, we see Redwings (though they’re less common than they used to be). Fieldfares have always been less common (though one Boxing Day, a few years ago, a flock of around 50 suddenly appeared in our local trees!). Waxwings are unpredictable, some years we don’t see them at all and other years they are relatively plentiful.
Some insects also migrate. Monarch butterflies are well known for their epic migrations between Mexico and north America, but did you know that some insects in Scotland are known to migrate? I remember seeing Painted Lady butterflies everywhere in Edinburgh in summer 2009, when large numbers of these migratory butterflies arrived in Scotland from southern Europe. Like the Monarchs, Painted Ladies migrate in stages, butterflies that emerge in the Sahel region of Africa migrate north to southern Europe where they lay eggs that then eventually become butterflies that fly to the UK. A few other species of British butterflies migrate as do some hoverflies, including the Marmalade hoverfly, which in autumn, stopping only to feed along the way, travels directly to over-wintering grounds around the Mediterranean. Looking at the small, delicate insect below, it’s amazing to think it can undertake such long journeys.
From today until Friday, Wild Wings of Hope is happening at the National Museum of Scotland at Chambers Street in Edinburgh.
During the three days, visitors will have a chance to make crafts, listen to stories and learn more about migratory birds and insects and the biodiversity and cultures of Scotland and Africa. Scotland has long had a particular connection with the southern African country of Malawi, where I lived for a couple of years in the early 1990s.
I’ll be at the event this morning, helping out on the Butterfly Conservation stall, so if you’re there come along and say ‘hi’!
Bill Davison from Easy by Nature recently shared an excellent essay on how birds co-operate during migration:
Other Interesting Articles
Bird Migration from the RSPB.
Butterflies without Borders from The Wildlife Trusts.
Insect Migration from Buglife.
Bird Migration is Changing (Visualised) on the Guardian.
World Migratory Bird Day
This day to celebrate migratory birds was held a few days ago. Here’s a useful guide to autumn migrants that can be found in the UK, from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
An Interesting Book
The Fly Trap by Fredrik Sjoberg (thanks to Richard Gregson from Whilst Out Walking for the recommendation) focuses on the author’s interest in collecting hoverflies on his home island in Sweden. You can read my review on my blog here.
I had no idea hoverflies migrated!
I loved learning about the hoverfly that migrates! I did not know this.