Although it is still summer, the fall migration for many of songbirds that inhabit our yards from spring into summer migration is already underway.

       In most years much to my chagrin, I rarely see an orchard oriole in my backyard in September.  However, some commence their migration in the middle of July.  By late August, most of them are en route to, or have already arrived, in their winter home in a vast area ranging from Costa Rica southward to Columbia.

       I find it odd that for many songbirds and others, in spite of the fact, much is written about the fall bird migration, for them the fall migration is a misnomer.  For the sake of accuracy, it should perhaps be renamed the mid-summer migration.