Some of the permanently resident birds, having completed their molt, begin a fall song period. By October, most of the southbound shorebirds and landbirds have left. Wintering landbirds such as sparrows begin arriving in numbers. Coots arrive in numbers. Hawk migration reaches its peak.
Male ducks begin emerging from their eclipse into brilliant breeding plumage.
Almost all the shorebirds and landbirds have departed by the end of the month. Some ducks and coots continue to arrive during early December, while others continue south. By mid-month, though, the fall migration is essentially over. The only new arrivals are birds force to move south by exceptionally severe weather in the north. Only local movements take place, as ducks wintering on the lagoons seek food in nearby lakes, ponds, and fields.