Spring Migration

 By: Alex Peterson, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Writing Intern

The first day of spring was on March 19th, and as we move toward the season of new beginnings, the world around us begins to change in many ways. The weather gets warmer, animals are coming out of hibernation, and flowers begin to blossom. Birds are an interesting group of animals to view during this changing time, which is made easier due to spring migration. If you’re looking for a place to take an exploratory bird hike, test your knowledge on our hiking trails or sign up for a guided bird hike on our program calendar to witness these changes for yourself! 

During the spring, birds begin to migrate back north from their southern adventure to grace us with their presence. Among the first to arrive in the north are many waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, cranes and swans, according to Kenn Kaufman from the National Wildlife Federation. In southern states, this process begins earlier, but in Wisconsin, migration typically occurs from late March to early May. 

Nesting and courting also begins with the arrival in the spring, as male birds come first to claim their nesting territories. Our Citizen Science Center has been busy watching the bird feeders during their weekly bird banding sessions, and participating in local bird hikes and crane counts as they observe the return of our feathered friends. Our AmeriCorps Avian Field Technician, Luke Trittlewitz, shared information: “The males begin singing and the females will choose a male based on how well they sing, court, and the location they have selected and defended for the breeding season.”

Donna L. Long’s “Spring Bird Migration for Beginning Birders” provides great information for beginning birdwatchers interested in spring migrations. Long says that songbirds fly by night and rest, eat, and sleep during the day. They can be spotted where they rest, which can be anywhere from forests to feeders in your backyard. If you are more interested in spring migration and birdwatching, check out our program calendar for upcoming gatherings! We have events on bird watching and bird banding, where you will have a fun experience learning about birds and connecting with nature.