Date: 8/22/25 3:55 pm From: Eran Tomer <00001de85cdc9338-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fall migration timing in northern Georgia
Hi John,
I am replying to the list since others may be interested too.
Fall migration is complex because different bird types migrate on different
schedules. It is also more prolonged than spring migration as birds aren't
rushing to compete for territories and mates.
Your post suggests you live in the Atlanta region. Here is the fall
migration sequence for this area, which would also apply to much of
northern Georgia. The timing differs somewhat further south and east, and
even more along the coast. The information comes from an analysis I did
last year using eBird and other data.
Some individuals of various species arrive earlier or linger later than
most, but the following applies to the decisive majority. In chronological
order:
POST-BREEDING DISPERSAL - not truly migration but many species start
wandering the landscape after nesting, in late summer and into fall.
Immature birds especially. These include Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed
Kite, various waders (e.g. herons & egrets, Anhinga, White Ibis, Wood
Stork, Roseate Spoonbill) and some songbirds. Early arrivals aside, this
dispersal begins in the first week of July, peaks between July 15 and
August 31, and continues to September 7. A few individuals remain later.
SHOREBIRDS (plovers, sandpipers & relatives) - fall migration starts in
earnest during the first week of August, increases to a peak from the last
week in August through the second week in September, then declines but
continues through the third week therein. As always, some individuals
arrive slightly earlier or later.
TERNS - Caspian Tern, Black Tern and Forster's Tern start arriving in the
second week of August and more prominently in the third. Black Tern
continues to September 14 while Caspian and Forster's migrate through the
end of the month. Common Tern has a narrower fall migration window,
September 8-30.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK - migration starts in the last week of August and peaks in
the first 2 weeks of September, the first especially. Then it drops
sharply. Typically nighthawks start appearing about 2 - 2.5 hours before
sunset and numbers increase towards nightfall. Please report any nighthawks
you may see on eBird since this species has declined heavily over the past
c. 20-25 years.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL - this duck migrates differently from other waterfowl (see
below). Fall peak is a protracted August 22 to October 31.
HURRICANE BIRDS - not migration but fall is hurricane season, mostly in
September and October but sometimes early November. These storms blow
various seabirds and others far inland and off-course. So do weaker
tropical storms to a lesser extent. If such weather hits, check your local
water bodies when it's safe to do so. Our largest lakes, Lanier and
Allatoona / Acworth, are probably best. Hurricanes displace other types of
birds too so it is worthwhile to check different birding sites.
LANDBIRDS (mostly songbirds, also cuckoos, raptors etc.) - some start
migrating as early as late July but fall migration begins "for real" in the
last week of August, accelerates in the first week of September, increases
to a peak during the 3rd and 4th weeks of September, then declines but
continues to the end of October. A few species, like Cooper's Hawk, migrate
for another week. Sharp-shinned Hawk movement extends to mid-November, and
Merlin and Northern Harrier all the way to mid-December.
A very few species migrate slightly outside of this time frame, e.g. Bank
Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo and Vesper Sparrow. So with any target species
check the bar chart link below for precise timing.
TURKEY VULTURE (and to a lesser extent Black Vulture) - fall passage begins
c. October 15, peaks between October 22 and November 14, then declines to
an end by November 21. Always impressive but all the more so if you can
find a roost (I can recommend one in Sandy Springs) - masses of vultures
swirling & streaming low overhead.
WATERFOWL / WATERBIRDS - some species migrate through and others overwinter
but still have peak passage windows alongside the migrants. Species mostly
migrating but scarce in winter include Ross' Goose, Snow Goose, Greater
White-fronted Goose, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted
Merganser, Red-throated Loon and Horned Grebe. Plus irregular species -
very rare and not documented every year, e.g. Black Scoter and Eared Grebe.
These species migrate from November 1, but especially November 15 through
December 14, arriving with cold fronts pushing them south. Wintering
waterfowl tend to arrive slightly earlier, from c. October 22 onwards, but
arrivals increase much starting in mid-late November.
SANDHILL CRANE - fall migration is concentrated from November 22 through
December 14, but continues to December 21st. Some cranes occur later
sporadically. Listen for their trademark, loud, rattling-trumpeting calls.
***
For species-specific information, here is the greater Atlanta region's
eBird bar chart:
Next to each species you can click the jagged line icon for a precise line
graph (move the cursor across it for dates), and the teardrop-shape icon
for a map. It is imperative to study the graphs & maps closely to find
target species.
***
Please note birds migrate broadly so Kennesaw Mountain, for all its
well-deserved fame, is but one site to visit (see eBird's Explore Hotspots
feature - https://ebird.org/hotspots). Migrants occur not only in parks and
other (semi)-natural locations but also in many urban / suburban woodlots,
back yards and ponds. Vultures, cranes and nighthawks fly over heavily
urbanized areas too.
Also, migrants' passage relates closely to weather patterns, notably cold
fronts and winds. Some days are much better than others so don't despair if
some outings are unproductive. Vultures and Sandhill Cranes especially
prefer specific flying conditions so their movements are concentrated into
a few, separate days within their migration windows. Explore the Cornell
Lab's Birdcast website for migration forecasts and alerts:
Finally, in fall young birds abound and many species are in drab plumage,
some resembling others. They also don't vocalize much or at all. This calls
for extra caution with identification. For example, immature Yellow-billed
Cuckoos can have dark bills like Black-billed Cuckoo and immature Tree
Swallows are brownish and can have a cross-breast band resembling Bank
Swallow. If reporting a rarity, please describe how you determined the ID
versus similar species and / or include a diagnostic photo.
Good luck ! And please share with GABO any tips on birding Bartow Co.
hotspots.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer
Atlanta, GA
On Wed, Aug 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM John Call <
<00001d961ce29ab9-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> This is my first fall migration. When should I start going to Kennesaw Mtn
> and when does it fade out? I have some days during the third week of
> September. Is that a good time to go? Are there any led trips there? I'm
> noticing on eBird that birds are being spotted at Kennesaw but I didn't
> figure they were coming through yet.
>
> Also, somebody mentioned a "Bartow Birding Loop." I'm not far from there.
> What is that loop exactly and what is the best way to bird it?
>
>
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