Many of our songbirds, or "passerines," migrate at night. They likely use a combination of a built-in compass as well as the stars to go where they want to go. However, being so small and lightweight, winds can become a significant problem if they are blowing counter to where the bird wants to go. On the westerly and northwesterly winds of fall, a migrant warbler, trying to head south through Maine could easily be pushed offshore. Come dawn, a warbler could find itself over the ocean.

When that happens, they immediately head for land. Predators can be numerous offshore during the day (gulls and falcons in particular), and obviously there aren't many places to hide out there. So, offshore islands and peninsulas, sticking out into the water become beacons of hope: food and shelter!

The birds descend on those outposts of land, and after a quick break, they often begin to work their way to the mainland - where there is more food, and a lower concentration of predators. This flight occurs at dawn, often immediately following the sunrise. We call this the "morning flight."

One excellent place to observe this phenomena is Sandy Point Beach at the northwestern tip of Cousin's Island in Yarmouth. When conditions are right (overnight westerly winds), birds that have found themselves out over Casco Bay work their way towards the mainland. The birds funnel to Cousin's Island, where they are able to make the short flight over the water. From the parking lot at Sandy Point Beach, the land narrows, the birds concentrate, and they often take one last break in the trees before flying back over the water.

With the westerly winds overnight last night, I spent my sunrise at Sandy Point Beach. I tallied over 250 warblers, although most went down as unidentified in my notebook as many were pre-sunrise silhouettes. But, as the sun crept up, and more birds were alighting in trees, I was able to identify 10 species of warblers, included at least 66 American Redstarts.

What a way to start the day!