Bird Migration Activity
Birds are fascinating creatures, and the fact that approximately 2.5 million people watch birds in Ohio only strengthens this fact. Bird watchers include people who casually watch birds feed in their backyards to people who participate in elaborate adventures to view rare birds. No matter a bird watchers level of interest and expertise, it is important to know about migration flyways and when and where certain species of birds can be located.
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| Canada Geese in flight |
Why do birds migrate? Many birds migrate in the late fall before the weather gets too cold so they can find reliable sources of food and shelter. Once spring rolls back around, they return home to nest and raise young. This cycle continues over and over throughout a bird’s life. Some birds will only fly far enough to locate suitable food and shelter while others will migrate for thousands of miles. Other birds, like American Crows, do not migrate at all and have adapted to deal fairly comfortably with winter weather in Ohio.
Here's an easy way to study a bird's migration route. Try this birds' migration activity to learn about a bird's pattern of flight. Ohio residents are very lucky since although we technically sit in the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway runs closely enough that we get a lot more avian species passing through than many other states!
Get started on learning more about birds in Ohio by visiting the A-Z Species Guide at www.wildohio.com
What You'll Need:
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| USGS Flyway Map |
Reference book such as an Ohio birds field guidebook
Globe or world map
Rubber cement, a glue gun, or thumb tacks
Different colored yarn
What to do:
On a globe or world map, mark the migration paths of some birds. Use rubber cement or other temporary adhesive to attach a piece of yarn to each bird's starting place. Attach the other end of the yarn to the bird's summer home. Use different colors of yarn for different birds.
Visit this link to view a list of Ohio birds and their estimated arrival and departure dates by county:
http://www.birdnature.com/timetable.html
Call 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) to request a free copy of “Ohio’s Common Birds” field guidebook and sound CD!
Always remember, the best way to learn about nature is to be in it! Enjoy Ohio’s outdoors!
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