It seems everyone is talking about migration this year. (In the context of my newsletter I mean bird migration.) During the pandemic many of us became more aware of birdsong in our neighborhoods. And we are more than ready for Fall, for a shift toward cozy time and the predictable rhythm of this particular season when so many things seem to be dissonant, off key with the harmony of the universe.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology produces a map of real-time bird migration detected by the U.S. weather surveillance radar network. It shows the migration traffic rate in birds/km/hour from sunset to sunrise. In looking at the map, I now understand why I heard a bird hit my bedroom window in the early hours of the morning. I thought all birds were asleep, but the timing of the window thwack matches rush hour traffic for birds.
For someone who geeks out on weather radar maps, I love this tool. You can view it here: Live Bird Migration Map.
Equally intriguing is the bird migration forecast maps, created by Colorado State University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The maps are updated every 6 hours, and I wonder if they’ve been adjusted for Hurricane Ian. It appears that way, judging by the precipitation swirl over the Carolinas. Click here to see for yourself: Bird Forecast Maps.
Bird migration is a tough endeavor on a clear day. I hope they have a safe journey, and that the humans are able to rebuild quickly and sustainably.
Birds in the Arts
“For the Birds” is a star-studded, 242-track collection of original songs, readings, and field recordings inspired by or incorporating birdsong. It is bundled as a 20-LP boxed set of artwork and music to benefit the National Audubon Society. You can read more about the project here: For the Birds: The Birdsong Project.
I also highly recommend The Lost Birds album, featuring Christopher Tin, VOCES8, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Barnaby Smith. For stunning video, liner notes, and an explanation of the project, visit Christopher Tin’s website The Lost Birds.
Happy bird watching and listening!