Birders worldwide look forward to migration, and while it is possible to get a sense of when migration is beginning and how to know when certain birds may arrive or depart, the exact timing can be tricky. According to Phys.org, however, predicting migration may be getting easier with the use of BirdCast, a new high-tech project partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other groups. The goal is to create an accurate model to predict bird migration, including timing, numbers of migrating birds, migration pathways and more. Radar, ground observations and other information is being collaborated in the project.
It is hoped that if accurate predictions of migration can be formulated, conservation efforts such as lights-out programs or adjusting airplane flight paths can help safeguard migrating birds.
Do you know when your fall migration is? Individual birders may not have the resources of BirdCast at their fingertips quite yet, but with practice, you can learn to predict your local migration and enjoy fantastic fall birding!
Sandhill Crane Migration
Photo © Larry Crist / USFWS
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