A map of the continental United States showing lines of peak migration dates, prepared using more than two decades of bird migration information by the Colorado State University AeroEcology Lab.
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Peak bird migration periods in many areas of the southern United States are fast approaching according to information analyzed by the Colorado State University AeroEcology Lab. Today, scientists can forecast the timing of peak migration using a range of radar, acoustics, and citizen science data including eBird. While this is exciting information for birders, this and other data can also be used to identify where the greatest risks of exposing migrating birds to light pollution that subjects them to potential collisions with buildings and window panes, especially in large cities.
The accompanying map produced by the Colorado State University AeroEcology Lab depicts a coarse rule of thumb to guide your efforts to experience massive migration of birds that stretches across the nation that you can experience at home and anywhere you happen to be in the Lower 48. The contour lines represent constant dates of peak migration, all of which were derived from more than two decades of radar data. (See https://birdcast.info/scientific-discussion/the-picture-is-worth-six-millions-scans-and-three-billion-birds-peak-migration-timing-for-the-contiguous-us/ ) AeroEcology staff notes that one of the highlights of studying bird migration in the era of Big Data is the opportunity to characterize patterns at large spatial and temporal scales that involve billions of moving birds!
In addition, you can check for nightly Lights Out Alerts and the accompanying bird migration maps at https://aeroecolab.com/#home by scrolling down to mid-page. This information is being used by some forward-thinking cities, businesses, property owners, and conservation groups to turn building lights off during peak nighttime migration periods to help reduce collision deaths among migrating birds.
Many birders monitor the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast “live” migration maps any night or day to get a feel for bird migration activities across the United States. including your state and region, at https://birdcast.info/live-migration-maps/
And for an introduction into the interesting aspects of radar aero-ecology, take a look at