Annually, the universe provides us with a spectacular display in the evening sky: the spring migration. At its highest points in April, as many as 500 million birds are said to migrate into the United States in the dark.
Tracking the Birds
This spectacular natural display, followed with the aid of radar technology, presents bird watchers with the opportunity to watch the migratory visitors fly north. The birds seek heat, improved nesting spots, and rich supplies of food.
Where Are the Birds?
Today, birds are migrating in massive waves across the Southern and Midwestern United States. New Mexico and Texas are two of the states experiencing some of the largest aggregations of migratory birds, such as waterfowl, sparrows, and warblers.
BirdCast in Action
BirdCast, a real-time bird migration tracking system, estimates that on their peak nights, more than 20 million birds fill the skies, creating a wave that advances towards the north.
A Night of Millions
It is described by Dr. Elizabeth Weise, a migration expert with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, like this: “On a big night in the spring, you’re talking 450 to 500 million birds flying under cover of darkness.”
Seeing the Invisible
These night-flying birds cannot be seen by the naked eye, but radar surveillance gives us a clear view of their movements and the densely occupied night sky.
Why Do Birds Migrate?
Birds migrate for food, better weather, and safe breeding grounds. North America’s harsh winters compel many species to flee south for warmth and nourishment, but when the climate is warmer and food is plentiful again, they travel north to breed.
Types of Migration
Bird migration occurs in countless ways:
Altitudinal migrants travel up or down a mountain based on the time of year. Local birds have easily accessible food supplies year-round, and as such, they do not migrate. Short-distance migrants travel a few hundred miles to fit the changing seasons.
Long-distance migrants travel thousands of miles, some even from North America to South America.
The Importance of Migration
While bird flight is miraculous, it is also a necessary ecological function. Birds regulate insects, spread plant pollen, and preserve stable climates.
New Threats to Migration
Their flight has become increasingly dangerous, however, because of global warming, deforestation, and man-made light from urban areas that confuses them and results in building collisions.
How to Help Birds
There are simple steps, experts say, that can help our feathered guests: shut off outside lighting, keep the cats indoors, plant native flora that provides a source of sustenance and lodging, and advance conservation efforts protecting primary migratory pathways.
Watching the Migration Live
For bird enthusiasts, the morning flight is a front-row center seat to one of the globe’s greatest spectacles. You can watch them winging their way in real time using apps such as BirdCast, which uses radar technology to track migrations. Get comfortable and look up: 500 million birds are going to put on a show.
Navigating the Journey North
When these birds migrate north, they are confronted with various challenges, from unfavorable weather to food shortages along the way. However, their great navigation skill, powered by the Earth’s magnetic field and visual cues, guides them to their destination. Not only is their migratory route intriguing to bird lovers, but it is also an indicator of nature’s adaptability and resilience, as these birds travel thousands of miles to ensure the survival of their kind.
