- Each spring, millions of birds migrate north to summer breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada.
- So that makes this time of year fantastic for birding.
- From nature sanctuaries to your local park, here are some great places to see migrating birds this spring.
5 amazing places to see migrating birds in spring
As spring unfolds above the equator, millions of birds depart their overwintering habitats and fly north to summer breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada. The spectacle of spring migration involves both the arrival of warm weather favorites, like red-winged blackbirds, and the brief passage of rarely seen species, like many wood warblers. And there are certain places within North America where watching bird migration can be particularly rewarding. So here are five to consider for your next birding adventure.
High Island, Texas
High Island sits on top of a salt dome along the Gulf Coast of Texas near the Louisiana border. This elevated dome attracts weary birds that have traveled long distances over open waters from the Yucatán Peninsula.
There are four bird sanctuaries here: Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks, Eubanks Woods and Gast Red Bay. Each provides important habitat (food, water, shelter) for the migrants. Warblers, tanagers, orioles and grosbeaks abound. Roseate Spoonbills, egrets and herons nest in a rookery at Smith Oaks sanctuary.
Migration season at High Island runs mid-March to mid-May, but the best times to visit are around the end of April through early May, according to Houston Audubon. And when storms force the birds to “fallout” onto the land, the birding here can get intense, with birds on every tree.
Magee Marsh, Ohio
Magee Marsh along the shores of Lake Erie spans just over 2,200 acres (8.9 square kilometers). The Ohio Department of Natural Resources owns the site. The nutrient-rich wetlands attract diverse birds during the migration season.
Spring migration here begins in March with the spring thaw and lasts through May. Waterfowl commonly seen in the wetlands in spring include blue-winged teals, gadwalls, northern shovelers, ring-necked ducks, northern pintails and American wigeons. The wood warblers in particular are a big draw. In fact, at least 36 species of warblers have been recorded at Magee Marsh over the years, including blue-winged warblers, orange-crowned warblers and prothonotary warblers.
A fun time to visit is during the Biggest Week in American Birding. This event is held every year in early May. Black Swamp Bird Observatory hosts the 10-day festival and offers guided tours of Magee Marsh and other nearby hotspots. And while there, visitors can attend bird identification workshops and presentations by luminaries in the birding world.
Point Pelee, Ontario
Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada, sits on a long, sandy spit that juts out into Lake Erie. The park contains the southernmost spot in mainland Canada. It is an important stopover site for migrants crossing the lake. In 1987, Point Pelee was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. In 2006, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated the park as a dark sky preserve.
Spring bird migration at Point Pelee runs from March, with the arrival of waterfowl, to early June, for late migrants such as shorebirds and flycatchers. The warblers, vireos, and tanagers are best viewed during early to mid-May. Plus, this timeframe coincides with the Festival of Birds. Visitors can choose from a number of guided hikes and birding lectures during the festival.
Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is an observation, research and education facility dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. Founded in the 1930s by Rosalie Edge, the sanctuary is located on Kittatinny Ridge in eastern Pennsylvania. The high elevations allow for expansive views of the surrounding forests and sky.
Spring migration counts at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary run from April 1 to May 15. During the count, trained birders keep a tally of the number and types of raptors seen each day. On big days with northerly winds, over 300 birds might be spotted. Common migrants include bald eagles, broad-winged hawks and American kestrels. Visitors are welcome to help spot raptors as they pass overhead.
Your hometown
Indeed, you might be surprised at how many different bird species visit local parks during spring migration. The website eBird has a great Explore Regions feature, where you can type in the county, click Hotspots, and see the tops sites for species. Visit any one of the places in the top 10 during spring migration and see what you can find. And on a big day, there likely will be many giddy birders out and about.
Bottom line: Birding during spring migration season can be particularly rewarding. Here are five amazing places to see migrating birds this spring.
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