30 Million Birds Flew over the Sunshine State Last Night – Including Millions in the Panhandle

Whereas most Floridians slept, greater than 30 million migrating birds crossed the Sunshine State final night time as they made their method south to spend the winter in hotter climates.

In accordance with birdcast.info:

4.3 million+ handed over Santa Rosa County

2.8 million+  handed over Escambia County

5.2  million+ handed over Okaloosa County

7.2 million+ handed over Walton County

6.6 million + handed over Bay County

5.1 million+ handed over Gulf County

5 million+ handed over Franklin County

6.1 million+ handed Wakulla County

7 million+ handed Taylor County

What’s migration, anyway?

Within the Northern Hemisphere, migratory birds fly north within the spring looking for meals and nesting habitat. Within the fall, they fly south, retreating from the chilly temperatures and meals shortages that winter brings.

Greater than 450 North American chicken species migrate from summer season breeding areas — which can be as far-off because the Arctic Circle — to overwinter in South Florida or the tropics. Some fly 1000’s of miles yearly, instinctively retracing their ancestral routes.

“Fall migration is for much longer than spring, as birds don’t transfer as rapidly,” says Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Director (and avid birder) Keith Laakkonen. “Within the spring, birds are pushed to time their arrival with the meals assets they should elevate their households, however within the fall, climate patterns have extra affect on their actions,” he added.

How will you see them?

Head to native parks and pure areas, like Topsail Hill Protect State Park, St. Marks Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, or Gulf Islands Nationwide Seashore, particularly at daybreak. In the event you need assistance figuring out what you see or protecting monitor of your sightings, check out the Audubon app.

Many Audubon chapters lead walks throughout migration. Discover an Audubon chapter close to you here.

How will you assist them?

Help conservation lands.

Inform your native elected officers that you just help metropolis, county, and state conservation packages – like Florida Without end. Protected areas give these migrating birds loads of area to relaxation as they make their spectacular flights throughout the hemisphere.

End up lights at night time.

Most migrating birds navigate at night time, and lights can disorient them. End up as many lights as attainable throughout migration season.

Cut back window strikes.

Throughout daytime, birds collide with reflective surfaces once they cease to feed or relaxation, when avoiding a predator or flying from tree to tree. Shiny glass exteriors, inner vegetation close to home windows, glass corners, and greenery near buildings can all be lethal as birds are unable to tell apart reflection from open flyway. To cut back collisions:

–       Create patterns on reflective glass surfaces (amount and spacing matter: a number of markings 2 to 4 inches aside are really helpful)

–       Set up exterior screens on home windows

–       Shut blinds or curtains

–       Transfer inside vegetation away from home windows

–       Place chicken feeders straight on home windows