September is historically a rather mild month across central latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Following a long, hot summer, it has offered a steady transition toward the cool weather of October.
From a birder's point of view, it is also a transition month as early autumn migrants turn up in our woods and wetlands. Blue-winged teal, common nighthawks, broad-winged hawks, shorebirds and a variety of warblers are among these seasonal travelers.
Today, conditions in Columbia mirrored that expectation. Sunny skies, mild, crystal-clear air and a gentle, northerly breeze, hinted of the coming season. For outdoor people, autumn is the best time of year; we can only hope that global warming does not tarnish that reputation.
