Learn about bird migration

When was the last time you saw a bird flying around? Maybe it was on a walk, or just out your window. Do you see the same birds in summer and winter? Some birds stay in the same place all year round. But many birds undertake a “seasonal migration,” meaning that they live in one place in the summer, and then fly somewhere else for the winter. They fly south in a fall migration, and come back north in a spring migration. 

For example, in northern parts of the U.S., people say goodbye to the shorebirds and geese once the days turn colder. But these birds return again once the days get warmer again in the spring. Meanwhile, people in southern parts might see those same shorebirds and geese in their backyards or natural areas. 

Alaska is almost on top of the world, in the high north. Many birds from across the world fly north to Alaska every spring to nest and raise their young. These birds then fly back to different places in the south to spend the winter. 

Watch a video about bird migration from our friends at Cornell University. 

But how do we know where they go? How could we track their movement? Try out these three activities to learn more. Start with Part 1 and do them in order.