March 13,2008

March can be a windy month on Cumberland and these conditions often make our morning birding tours a challenge. But even on windy days we can usually find some wildlife activity. While migratory songbirds become difficult to spot, shore birds are easily observed, gathered in flocks facing into the wind trying to maintain feather alignment and conserve body heat.

Strong winds associated with large weather fronts will change the feeding patterns of some animals like white-tailed deer. On Cumberland deer generally do not move around as much during windy conditions. But they can be seen feeding before and after extended periods of rain even if it’s very windy.

Strong winds after a soaking rain have a dramatic effect on the island’s dunes. The drying ability of moving air over wet pliable sand creates a rippled surface revealing a sence of order to the semmingly chaotic winds.

The winds also influence the tides. Strong easerly winds produce higher than normal tides while strong westerly winds expose much more of the beach by making tides lower than normal. The long term effects of wind is most noticeable on plants grwoing near the beach. Severely wind pruned live oak trees lean to the west after years of exposure to prevailing easterly winds.

To a large part, Cumberland is a product of the wind. This fact soon becomes apparent to island visitors any time of year they may be here.