In North America, billions of birds are on the move for fall migration. They will collectively fly billions of miles as they journey south to their nonbreeding ground in search of the food and warmth they need to make it through the year. Some birds, like the Red-winged Blackbird, only need to travel a short distance to find the resources they need. Others, like the Arctic Tern, traverse the entire Western Hemisphere.
No matter the distance, migration is a physically taxing and dangerous journey. Continue reading from the American Bird Conservancy
Do you ever wonder how the birds can fly thousands of miles in the dark and find their way to their winter nesting grounds? Scientists say birds employ several different tools to find their way. Birds use the positioning of the stars and landmarks like the New England coastline to guide them. Scientists also believe birds have a unique sense that allows them to use the earth’s magnetic field, a fascinating aspect of bird migration, to maintain their course when visual cues are limited. Finally, scientists believe birds have an internal biological clock that helps them adjust migration based on the time of day. Birds encounter many hazards along their migration journey, like bad weather, habitat loss, predators, human structure strikes, and bright lights at night. Despite these challenges, the beauty of bird migration is a sight to behold, a true miracle of nature that occurs right over our heads. Continue reading from Darien Nature Center
Birding Resource Guide (The Westport Library)
Fairfield Nature Center (Connecticut Audubon Society)
Fairfield County BirdCast Migration Dashboard (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
5 Top Fall Birding Locations on the East Coast (Birds and Blooms)
Birds of Connecticut (National Audubon Society)
Top Ten Things to Know About Fall Bird Migration (Lyric Wild Bird Food)
Spring and Fall Migration in New York City (New York City Parks)
Bird Migration Explorer (National Audubon Society)
Birding Trails in the Northeast (National Audubon Society)
Fall Birding Tips (The Sierra Club)
When Will Migratory Birds Arrive? Find Out Using these Bird Migration Maps (ABC Birds)
How Migrating Birds Use Quantum Effects to Navigate (Scientific American)
