Millions of birds are currently embarking on their spring migration journey through the Great Plains and the Midwest, with a significant portion passing through Illinois this week. According to the latest reports from Birdcast, a collaboration between Colorado State University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, over 24.5 million birds were observed in the Illinois skies around 11 p.m. on Sunday. Of these, nearly 7.2 million birds were en route to their breeding grounds in Wisconsin and Canada.
Residents were alerted to the high volume of bird migration, with forecasts predicting continued activity on Monday and Tuesday nights. Monday is expected to see a particularly intense migration, with an estimated 400 million birds taking flight across the eastern United States. Tuesday night into Wednesday morning is also forecasted to witness around 400 million birds in motion.
However, the threat of rain in Illinois may impact bird movement, potentially causing birds to stay grounded or limit their overnight travel.
Since the beginning of the spring migration, an estimated 320 million birds have crossed Illinois, exceeding the state’s historical average. Warblers, including the Yellow Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and Black-Throated Green Warbler, are among the primary travelers during this season. Baltimore Orioles are also increasingly spotted in the state, delighting birdwatchers with their presence.
Birds typically commence their migratory flights approximately 30 to 45 minutes after sunset, utilizing cooler temperatures and reduced winds to aid their journey northward. To minimize disruptions to bird migration, residents are encouraged to turn off unnecessary exterior lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., as bright lights can disorient birds and lead to collisions with buildings. Additionally, keeping cats indoors during high bird activity periods helps protect ground-resting birds from potential attacks.
