Each year, billions of birds represent 2/5’s of the avian population that migrate twice a year. Some treks are as short as a few thousand feet, some as long as a 25,000-mile trek that the Arctic Tren takes from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
Migrating birds face many challenges along their routes but with more extensive research and people working together, migrating birds have a better chance of survival.
Most birds travel at night which can be a problem with lights that are left on in buildings as it disorients birds who migrate and use the moon and stars for navigation.
The Lights Out Program which started in Chicago, has now spread to more than 40 cities and is a key step towards preventing migration birds from colliding into windows at night.
Birds already have a huge undertaking migrating from places like South and Central America to the north and back south again, to habitat loss, and dealing with climate change. Making windows safer and preventing unnecessary bird collisions is an easy way to support bird populations.
Climate change is altering the timing of season change which affects the timing of birds’ migrations. Birds rely on predictable weather patterns, finding food at the right time, and of course cues by temperature which is all changing as our planet continues to get warmer.
The biggest concern for migrating birds is known as the “phenological mismatch”, which means when birds fall so out of step with the seasons, their populations crash. Even as the global temperature has risen just 1 degree Celsius, some birds are so far behind spring that they miss insect emergence and lose out on their food supply.
Scientists suggest that to help migratory birds continue to have a food supply if they are not in sync with the seasonal changes, is to bolster more native fruits along birds’ migration routes. Amanda Gaallinat, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, states; “If you have more native plants in your yard, you’re going to see a higher biomass and diversity of insects and birds.” Having more food options for birds is one way, we actually can all help birds deal with changes caused by climate change.
The Audubon Society has created the Migratory Bird Initiative whose aim is to provide a more comprehensive and holistic view of bird migration in the Western Hemisphere. Since 2018, scientists have been compiling records by more than 100 researchers and institutions into one resource that has monitored the movements of thousands of birds and more than 450 species.
This will serve as an incredible resource since an estimated 3 billion birds have disappeared in North America since the 1970’s!! According to Peter Marra, director of Georgetown University’s Earth Common Institute and founder of Migratory Connectivity Project; “In order to prevent the loss of more birds, it is necessary to have a complete understanding of their movements and how populations fit together.”
Birds are considered an indicator species. Since birds are widespread globally, they help provide information on the condition and changes of an ecosystem.
Audubon experts found an overlap between places that are important for birds’ survival and where there are natural carbon stores. Therefore, protecting birds and their habitats are equally important for fighting climate change, thus improving our shared quality of life.
Reference:
Spring 2022, The Wonder of Migration, Audubon
