And just like that, fall is approaching again. With plans to wear one's finest flannel to the pumpkin patch and haunted houses in the works, some birds have a seasonal schedule of their own.
It's time for migratory birds to fly south for the winter, as they do every fall from mid-September to mid-November, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. During the overnight migration on Sept. 13, 285 million birds are forecast to fly south through the Ohio River Valley region.
Most overnight migrations will have a much lower intensity in the region on Monday, Sept. 14, and Tuesday, Sept. 15.
While it's up to the birds to fly dozens of hours to their southern destination, there are ways that people can help them survive the trip.
Why at night?
In the U.S., at least
80% of migratory bird species migrate at night.
A calmer atmosphere, guidance from the stars and safety from predators like hawks and eagles make darkness the ideal time for the trip, according to an article from the Audubon Magazine.
Are the birds visible?
The heights that birds hit during their migration varies by species and weather. However, scientists know that most migrating birds fly at altitudes that are not observable to the human eye, especially in the dark.
Although they can't be tracked with the blind eye, the BirdCast live map shows where nocturnal bird migration is happening in near real-time using the U.S. weather surveillance radar network from local sunset to sunrise
How to help during bird migration season
Some of the greatest dangers birds face during migration are light pollution and glass, according to Lights Out Cincinnati, a local group aiming to prevent bird window strikes.
People can support mirgrating birds by:
- Reducing light pollution: Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights to prevent disorientation. Keep lights off indoors or draw the blinds so inside lighting doesn't take the birds off course.
- Keeping cats indoors: Domestic cats pose a significant threat to migrating birds. Keep them indoors or on a leash.
- Providing food and water: Offer native seeds, fruit and clean water to fuel their long journeys.
- Creating habitat: Plant native trees and shrubs to provide resting and feeding areas.
- Preventing window collisions: Use decals or screens to make windows visible and reduce bird window strikes.
BirdCast.org/lights-out/ and BirdCast.org/treat-glass/ have more information on how to help birds during migration.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Millions of birds to migrate through Ohio River Valley. How we can help
