Flying Canvas: The Fall Migration Push

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A few weeks ago I wrote about the most colorful birds around Fredericksburg — cardinals, bluebirds, orioles, the whole summer cast: https://jasontickle.blogspot.com/2026/10/flying-canvas-most-colorful-birds-of.html

Well, most of that cast has cleared out. The orioles, the tanagers, the indigo buntings — they're headed south, and October is bringing a whole new set of travelers through Virginia.

Fall migration doesn't show off like spring. Nobody's singing their heart out. But if you know who's passing through, these next few weeks are some of the best birding of the year. Here's who's moving right now:

1. Yellow-rumped Warbler — the last warbler standing

Most of the warblers blew through in September, but the yellow-rumps hang on. They arrive in force in October, and plenty of them spend the whole winter here. Grayish-brown with bright yellow patches on the rump and sides. Check the treetops and thickets — they're not shy.

2. Dark-eyed Junco — the snowbird

When the juncos show up, winter's on its way. That's why the old-timers call them snowbirds. Slate gray, white belly, flashing white tail feathers when they fly. They show up around mid-October like clockwork, and they'll be scratching under your feeders until spring.

3. White-throated Sparrow — "Old Sam Peabody"

These come back to Virginia feeders every fall and stay all winter. You'll hear them before you see them — a clear whistle that sounds like "Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody." Look for the white throat patch and striped head, scratching in the leaves under the bushes.

4. Ruby-crowned Kinglet — the tiny hyper one

Barely bigger than a hummingbird and never sits still — always flicking its wings as it works the trees for insects. Olive green, with a ruby-red crown the male flashes when he's worked up. They come through with the first kinglets of the season.

5. Sharp-shinned Hawk — the fall raptor push

October is hawk season. Sharp-shins and Cooper's hawks are pouring through Virginia right now — down at Kiptopeke on the Eastern Shore they count them by the thousands. Around here, if a small hawk comes rocketing through your backyard chasing songbirds, that's a sharpie.

Two things worth having

First, here's what I use to spot them: an Addison 12x56 monocular. It changes everything — you go from "there's a bird over there somewhere" to actually seeing it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0922D4XZV?tag=jasontickleli-20

Second, the same book as last time: Stan Tekiela's Birds of Virginia Field Guide. Organized by color — see a yellow bird, flip to the yellow section — 146 Virginia species with full-page photos. It's the one I reach for: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1647552028/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_XW59MJPGC1NG9NWXF8P1?linkCode=ml1&tag=jasontickleli-20&linkId=655400d1c9661258225cadf3e3706774&gaOptInStatus=true

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Prefer to watch or listen? This post is also a video on YouTube: Flying Canvas: The Fall Migration Push

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