Fall Bird Migration (2023)
As of mid-September, we have entered the period of heavy bird migration from Wisconsin to Central and South America for many species. Canada Geese, doves, hummingbirds, cranes, nighthawks, field sparrows, wrens, catbirds and many other species are triggered to fly south. Their migration is triggered by genetic predisposition, lower temperatures, shorter day length, and changes in food supplies.
A fascinating website to look at data for our overhead migrants is birdcast.info. This site shows the number of birds migrating on any given day; just enter the name of a county on the website in the search bar. On the night of Sunday, September 17, 2023, a total of 4,404,300 birds were in the air migrating south in Waukesha County alone!
There is an abundance of information on the Birdcast site to whet your appetite for knowledge about Wisconsin bird migration. The Bird Migration Explorer, at https://explorer.audubon.org, is another site which allows users to search for specific bird species and challenges these heroic creatures face in making their very long journeys southward.
Birds in migration can travel as far as 16,000 miles. Geese and vultures can migrate at altitudes of 29,000-37,000 ft. As they prepare for migration, birds build up body fat and fuel up to 50% of their body weight in reserves. Hummingbirds are the smallest migratory bird, and can fly as fast as 30 mph during their journey of up to 600 miles.
Keeping outdoor lighting to a minimum during September and October at our homes and businesses can enable birds to stay on track in their migratory flight pattern and is a considerate action we can take to help many declining species survive.
Keep in mind our bird friends high overhead after sunset as we enjoy the change of seasons in Wisconsin!
Author: Karen Lloyd
