Impact

HOW BIRDS FLY HOME EACH SPRING

Baltimore Oriole. Courtesy of Maine Audubon.

Courtesy of Maine Audubon. Baltimore Oriole.

How do birds and butterflies find their way home between their Spring nesting grounds and their winter feeding grounds, across thousands of miles?

A Sky Full of Snow Geese

Now, as Spring migrations are underway, when flocks are winging their way northward, a new study reports that they rely on the Earth’s geomagnetic grid for navigational guidance.

European Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus). Charleston Reedbed

Scientists captured Eurasian reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) as they migrated up the Russian coast, then flew them 1,000 km off course to see if they could reorient, the way map apps do when you divert. And, like the apps, the birds recalibrated to reach their desired destination.

Flock of Birds.

The Earth’s geomagnetic field is generated by electric currents produced by convection forces within its core. To study the effect of geomagnetic forces on bird navigation systems, the researchers manipulated magnetic fields, without interfering with the birds’ ability to sense navigational cues, such as the sun, stars, landmarks and aromas.

European Roller - Estremadura.

The birds were not disoriented -- they were able to adjust their course and still fly towards their Spring breeding grounds. The Earth's magnetic field seems to supercede all other senses that birds can use to track their journeys.

Seemingly Surreal Swallows in a Spring Snowstorm

Study findings were recently published in the journal Current Biology.

We’ve curated a few of the best places on the planet to watch the birds come home to roost. Check them out below.

Pismo Snowy-Plovers.

MONTEREY -- CALIFORNIA

One of the top place to experience the beauty of Spring migrations is Monterey Bay, in California. Watch tufted puffins, black-footed albatross, snowy plovers, and shearwaters make their way to their nesting grounds. As an added bonus, you can watch the whales migrate too.

Elegant Trogon

CAVE CREEK CANYON -- ARIZONA

At Cave Creek Canyon, in Arizona, you can find over 37 species of birds including the cactus wren, curved billed thrasher, verdin, Gambel's quail, many varieties of hummingbirds, and exotic elegant trogon.

Tule Lake CBC. Red-winged Blackbirds with a smattering of Yellow-head and Tri-colored Blackbirds mixed in.

TULE LAKE -- CALIFORNIA

Tule Lake, California, a stopover for hundreds of species of migrating birds traveling the Pacific Flyway, is a beautiful place to witness Spring’s arrivals.

Backyard Bird Watching

EVERGLADES -- FLORIDA

Each Spring, over 300 species of birds fly into the Everglades National Park, in Florida. From snake birds, or Anhinga, to the daintiest hummingbird, it’s a thrill to see them come and get set for their new broods.

Tundra Swans

Check out this map to see other Spring migrations locations where you can watch the beauty return.

Eastern Bluebird.

Read more about Spring Thaw all this week on BeautifulNow including The Most Beautiful Places to Be When Spring Arrives and Tempting Springtime Hikes. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Allen's Hummingbird.

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found the Wood Ducks!

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: Courtesy of Maine Audubon. Baltimore Oriole.
Image: by Krista Lundgren, for USFWS Mountain-Prairie. A Sky Full of Snow Geese.
Image: by Ron Knight. European Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus). Charleston Reedbed.
Image: by Faisal Akram. Flock of Birds.
Image: by Francesco Veronesi. European Roller - Estremadura.
Image: by Keith Williams. Seemingly Surreal Swallows in a Spring Snowstorm.
Image: by Amy Joseph. Pismo Snowy-Plovers.
Image: by Julio Mulero. Elegant Trogon.
Image: by Frank D. Lospalluto. Tule Lake CBC. Red-winged Blackbirds with a smattering of Yellow-head and Tri-colored Blackbirds mixed in.
Image: Jason Mrachina. Backyard Bird Watching.
Image: by Sandy Brown Jensen. Tundra Swans.
Image: by John Benson. Eastern Bluebird.
Image: by Henry Lydecker. Allen's Hummingbird.
Image: by Putneypics. ...found the Wood Ducks!