Subject: Re: migrant traps
Date: May 16 10:42:54 1994
From: Rob Thorn - rthorn at ups.edu


>Rob,
>
>I think it has to do with the biogeographic fact that we are at or near
>the northern end of most West coast migratory paths. The breeding ranges
>of most species that pass through W. Washington is somewhere in s or c
>British Columbia or se or sc Alaska. So I believe it is our fate never
>to enjoy a Pt. Reyes, Pt. Pelee, or High Island experience.
>
>Gene Hunn.
>
Gene, Most of the migrants in Pt. Pelee (as well as Whitefish Pt. on Lake
Superior) are moving north into Ontario a distance probably less than ours
moving to Alaska/BC. I believe it has less to do with latitude than a
paucity of accessable, isolated coastal groves. All of the spots you mention
have isolated groves adjacent to large water barriers. It's not unreasonable
to think that Tatoosh or Smith Island might have a similar effect.
Rob