Spring Bird Migration

Spring bird migration is one of nature's most fascinating events, where millions of birds travel from their wintering grounds in the south to their breeding grounds in the north. Here's a quick overview of what happens:

🌍 Why Spring Bird Migration Happens:

Birds migrate in spring mainly for breeding. Warmer northern regions offer:

• Longer daylight hours for feeding

• Fewer predators

• Abundant insects and food

• Less competition for nesting sites

🕰️ When It Happens:

• February–April in the Southern U.S. and coastal areas

• April–June in the Northern U.S., Canada, and across Europe and Asia

  
  

Here is a link to a fascinating Spring Bird Migration Data Visualization map brought to us by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfiY0tTjKxA

🐦 Common Spring Migrants:

• Songbirds: Warblers, thrushes, flycatchers

• Waterfowl: Ducks, geese, swans

• Shorebirds: Sandpipers, plovers

• Raptors: Hawks, ospreys

• Hummingbirds

🧭 How Birds Navigate:

Birds use:

• Sun and stars

• Earth’s magnetic field

• Landmarks like rivers and mountains

• Smell and infrasound (in some species)

🌿 Where to See It:

• Flyways: Birds follow major migration corridors like the Mississippi, Atlantic, Central, and Pacific Flyways (U.S.)

• Stopover Sites: Coastal areas, wetlands, and forests are great for spotting migrating flocks.

🛠️ How You Can Help:

• Keep cats indoors during migration

• Plant native trees and flowers

• Provide clean water sources

• Turn off outdoor lights at night to prevent disorientation

• Add bird feeders to your yard to provide food pit stops for the birds