Bird Migration in Northwest Ohio Why do birds

Bird Migration in Northwest Ohio

Why do birds migrate? � Lack of adequate food sources � In � particular, insect-eating birds Climate/weather � Ice cover on lakes � Waterbirds are forced to move south

Warbler and food

Other migratory animals MAMMALS INSECTS

North American Flyways

Pacific Flyway

Central Flyway

Mississippi Flyway

Atlantic Flyway

Timing of migration SPRING � � Jan-Feb – waterfowl Mar-Apr – hawks, sparrows, blackbirds May-Jun – songbirds (warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, etc. ), shorebirds *The greatest species diversity is in May FALL � � Jul-Oct – shorebirds Sep – songbirds Oct-Nov – hawks, sparrows, blackbirds Nov-Dec - waterfowl

Factors influencing local migration � Weather – wind direction, thermals �A � � � “wave” of birds can occur with proper conditions Hormones Day length Geography �Lake Erie acts as a barrier to migration �Maumee River – a habitat corridor

Weather WIND DIRECTION EFFECTS OF THERMALS – A KETTLE OF HAWKS

Hormones

The Great Lakes

River corridors

Where are they going?

American Golden. Plover Nest on the Arctic tundra and winter in southern Argentina; they travel a round trip distance of some 15, 000 miles

Blackpoll Warbler Blackpoll warblers nest in the spruce forests of Canada and Alaska and migrate to South America for the winter; part of their migration is non-stop for ~2500 3000 miles!

Nocturnal Migrants � � Many songbirds migrate at night including thrushes, warblers, sparrows, tanagers, flycatchers, orioles, wren, etc. Safety and opportunities to feed during the day

Diurnal Migrants � Other birds migrate during daylight hours including ducks, shorebirds, hawks, swallows, gulls, etc.

Habitat Use LARGE SCALE SMALL SCALE

Migrants in your Yard

Stopover Sites REFUELING, RESTING

Important Local Areas � Wood County areas � County parks (e. g. Baldwin Woods) � BG parks (e. g. Wintergarden) � Maumee River corridor � � Oak Openings Region Western Lake Erie Marshes � Magee Marsh � Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge � Metzger Marsh � Maumee Bay State Park