A Sixth Sense?

Did you ever notice how a day or two ahead of a major weather event like a winter storm that the bird feeders are very busy with more birds than you may normally see at one time? Then all of a sudden they are gone, hunkered down and sheltered in place. When the weather is nice and sunny birds kind of come and go to the feeds throughout the day. But when a major storm is coming there are many birds all day long, just gorging on the feed you have put out.

Another instance of birds sensing danger was documented during a study on Golden-winged Warbler migration back to North America from their wintering grounds. When the flight data was studied, it was found that the birds suddenly made a drastic change in their course. As if they sensed something, they veered off course and went a considerable distance out of their way. The warblers adjusted their route while still 500 miles and several days ahead of a storm that was brewing and coming towards their flight path. That storm spawned at least 80 tornados and killed 35 people. It is thought that the birds could sense infrasound which is low-frequency sound that is typically below the normal limit of human hearing. The one question I have is that this possibly explains a storm that is active, but what about the times when there is no active rumbling storm yet? It is also thought that birds can sense air pressure changes such as with an approaching storm.

I also noticed that after the Duck Lake fire in 2012 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, that there were no bird or animal skeletons or remains. There was however wildlife activity at the fringes of the fire. Those small rodents and insects that were under ground below the heat came out soon after the fire and were easy to find in the burned over area. Coincidence, I think not?

The stories of animals carrying on and then running inland ahead of a tsunami also is thought to be because animals can also feel or sense vibrations such as an earthquake. They may not have more senses than humans, just a higher sensitivity to the vibrations.

I have also found it interesting when my pet rabbit was out on the lawn and all of a sudden ran for cover of the bushes by the house. Then a few seconds later, a hawk flew over the house. There is no way that rabbit saw the hawk with the house in the way. I also observed ducks making a lot of noise and fleeing the shoreline of Grand Traverse Bay one time, only to see an eagle fly over a minute or so later.

Do they have a sixth sense? Probably not, but somehow are more attuned to sounds and pressure changes than we humans are.