Some new insight into bird migration - and how YOU helped!

This common yellow-throat can use
all the help he can get!

Here is some new insight into the "what-why-how" birds migrate.  Bird migrations follow areas of new plant growth -- a so-called 'green wave' of new leaves and numerous insects -- new research shows. In fall, particularly in the western US, they stick to higher elevations and head directly southward, making fewer detours along the way for food.

Some of the data used for this research was collected by YOU; through submissions via e-bird. 
What is it?  eBird’s goal is to maximize the utility and accessibility of the vast numbers of bird observations made each year by recreational and professional bird watchers. The observations of each participant join those of others in an international network of eBird users. eBird then shares these observations with a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. In time these data will become the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond.

Remember, you can always help birds in many ways.  Here is an Audubon article on how to turn your backyard into a great oasis/refueling station for birds (it has specific plantings, relative to your region). 

And - as we have mentioned in past postings - you can always be thinking about how to help birds relative to windows and other structures.  Information here.