When the gabbing gets around to the mysteries of bird migrations, most people immediately think of ducks and geese. Without question, waves of wildfowl coursing the skies during autumn and springtime are awe-inspiring spectacles. At the same time, however, scant notice is paid to the less dramatic, but certainly no less important, migrations of songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, etc.

During the past couple of months, for example, billions of birds have migrated northward from wintering grounds in South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. In fact, at this time of year, the East Coast, one of the busiest bird corridors in this country, is visited by about 150 species of migratory songbirds. Not only are the melodious voices of warblers, thrushes, vireos, etc., beautiful to hear, but the mating plumages of orioles, scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, and others are as spectacular as spring flowers.

Regarding the mysteries of bird migrations, the theories are many but the facts are few. For example, it is logical to assume that cold weather and the attendant diminishment of food supplies trigger fall migrations. But what induces the massive spring movements? Can it be attributed to the birds’ reproductive cycles urging them to seek northern breeding grounds? Could it be the changes in the position of the sun – increasing length of daylight – changes in temperatures, or, perhaps, combinations of those factors?

Whatever the reasons may be, the timing of migrations is integral to the survival of many species. There are reasons why some birds arrive at specific locations during the same week – often on the same day – each year. But how do they manage such a strict schedule? How, for example, do shorebirds know when to wing it from South America so they will arrive at Delaware Bay at precisely the time horseshoe crabs are depositing their eggs? The “crab caviar” stopover provides the birds with the energy needed to complete the incredible 6,000-mile flight to their Arctic breeding grounds.

Another intriguing question: How do migrating birds navigate? The answer could be as simple as remembering familiar landmarks or as complicated as detecting differences in the earth’s thermal radiation or magnetism. Again, no one knows for sure. Nevertheless, most birds have an uncanny ability for returning to nesting sites used the previous year. Making it even more amazing is that, on their first northern migrations, offspring often return to the site where they were hatched.

What wildlife biologists and students of nature find most astounding, though, is the ability of small birds to fly hundreds of miles nonstop without “refueling.” For example, the ruby-throated hummingbird, weighing less than an ounce, flies non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico on its way to Latin America. Considering the tremendous amount of energy used by a hummingbird’s wingbeats of about 75 per second, it would seem impossible for the tiny creature to store enough body fat to fuel such a long flight.

It is the Arctic tern, however, that holds the long distance round-trip record. The three-ounce bird travels 25,000 miles each year during its migrations from the Arctic to Antarctica and back. Think about it. It was all put together by an intelligence far greater than ours, friend, but man, in his infinite meddling wisdom, is doing his best to take it apart.

In accordance with that, it is disturbing to know that, regardless of the durability of these delicate birds, their numbers are declining. U.S. Fish and Wildlife surveys show that many of the more than 400 species that migrate to Mexico and South America have declined dramatically in the past two decades. Biologists claim the culprits are deforestation and other environmental degradations resulting in loss of habitat.

For the same reasons, along with prolonged periods of drought, several waterfowl populations also have declined sharply during the past 20 years. Breeding duck populations are now about 20 percent below the long-term average in areas surveyed by U.S. and Canadian wildlife biologists. Naturally, other wildlife species dependent on wetlands have declined as well. There’s no denying the fact that our track record in regard to natural and wildlife resources is not impressive.

In spite of the well-guarded mysteries of migration and the wondrous nature of the birds that make arduous spring and autumnal journeys, their survival, as well as that of all wildlife species, depends on our environmental awareness and concern.

The 1,000 names that will own permits to hunt North America’s largest game animal during Maine’s Oct. 5-10 moose hunt will be drawn June 17. The drawing will be held in Augusta at the State Armory on Western Avenue. It will be broadcast by radio station WDME-AM & FM, Dover-Foxcroft, and a network of stations including: WKTJ-AM-FM, Farmington; WOXO-FM, Norway-South Paris; WTMB-FM, Mexico; WHOU-AM, Houlton; WCXU-FM, Caribou; WCXX-FM, Madawaska; WTOX-AM, Lincoln. The network may be expanded to include several other stations.

The public is invited to the event that will get under way at 4 p.m., food and drinks will be available. The first name will be drawn at 5:30 by a volunteer from the audience. The moose-permit program allows 900 permits for Maine resident hunters and 100 for non-residents. Last year, 65,206 residents applied for permits, non-residents filled out a record 17,922 applications.

Beginning today I’m taking a two-week hiatus to see if I can find some fish tracks. I’ll be back in camp on June 23.