Rare sightings occurred not only around the time of passage, but unusually, there was a noticeable delayed component. Impact on birds and birding was significant, with prominent displacement events from the coastal areas through the northern reaches of the region. Progressing into southwest Mississippi 30 August, the weakening beast churned diagonally across the state to the far northwest corner of Alabama before continuing toward the northeast U.S. Landfall occurred on 29 August with peak sustained winds reported at 150 mph (240 km/h). The storm traversed western Cuba then crossed the Gulf of Mexico squarely into southeast Louisiana, with painful destruction and loss of life. Hurricane Ida, a deadly Category 4 monster arising in the Caribbean Sea, was another matter entirely. Tropical Storm Fred, originating near the west tip of Cuba, pushed north along the Alabama-Georgia border 16–17 August, but with a relatively small influence on regional birds. The big weather news, as it often is in the fall season, was the cyclones from the south. Temperatures this autumn were normal in August, a bit cooler than usual in September and again in November, but warm in October precipitation varied across the region but increased in most areas during August. Rarities included second state records for both Alabama and Mississippi, as well as many other fine discoveries of lesser magnitude. Though a few birds were early, later-than-normal departures became more common. General migration of water, shore, and land birds was moderate to good in most areas.
Birders in our region enjoyed an exciting fall season, replete with good numbers of standard migrants and plenty of rare prizes.
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