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 FALL

Jan-Feb – waterfowl Mar-Apr – hawks,

sparrows, blackbirds May-Jun – songbirds

(warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, etc.), shorebirds

*The greatest species diversity is in May

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 WarblerBlackpoll 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