MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 13, 2020
Birds aren’t the only fall migrants. Keep an eye out for migrating insects as well. The remarkable migration of the monarch butterfly is well known but painted ladies and red admirals migrate through Maine in some years. Dragonflies get in on the act as well. However, most birds are nocturnal migrants. There are three advantages to migrating at night. First, the risk of predation by hawks, eagles and falcons is eliminated. Second, the atmospheric currents are typically smoother at night. Lastly, the cooler night-time temperatures help birds with their heat balance. ~ Herb Wilson