Migration: Late May is one of the best time to observe dunlins, whimbrels and other sandpipers as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. Spending the winter in the south eastern United States, this subspecies of dunlin flies to Hudson Bay and Nunavut to breed in spring. Their migration route takes them across the Great Lakes where they making use of the strong air currents and surplus of foraging areas. Dunlin and other sandpipers will stop periodically to feed on as many insects and other invertebrates as they can, to make up for the energy lost during migration. When taking breaks, these birds are exhausted and may not always flee from predators. While they do come across a number of natural predators, in more urban areas they are just as likely to come across domestic dogs which may attack these delicate birds. For this reason, it’s important to keep dogs on a leash when in areas with sensitive habitats and wildlife.
Sources:
"Dunlin." All About Birds, The Cornell Lab, 2023, www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dunlin/overview#. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023. Livingston, Sami, and Deb Reynolds. "Bird-Friendly Dog Walking." Atlantic Flyway Shorebirds, 2022, sos.atlanticflywayshorebirds.org/dog-disturbance/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023. |