top of page

Bird Migration in Upper Michigan

Lewis Goff

Updated: Dec 18, 2024

Why Migrate?

Simply defined, migration is the seasonal movement of birds to find better conditions for breeding, feeding, and raising their young. (Cornell Lab, 2021) As discussed later on, migration is a vital part of species’ survival and these instincts have been passed down for generations. While birds may enjoy the warm weather and a seasonal vacation, migration is largely determined by resource availability. The two key resources that influence migration are food availability and nesting locations, both crucial for reproduction.


Scientists can’t exactly estimate when birds started migrating but today’s consensus is that birds have been migrating for hundreds of thousands of years. While this isn’t a groundbreaking claim, we have come a long way as science and technology have progressed. For example, if you lived in England in the 17th century you may have believed that birds go to the Moon when winter comes, which was not a totally unpopular theory by Charles Morton (Harrison, 1954). Other scientists hypothesized that birds hibernated in the bottom of the sea and lakes.



Birds disappearing for the winter was largely an unexplained phenomenon until the 19th century. In 1822, early evidence of bird migration came from a seemingly rare account, when a German hunter shot down a White Stork (Phillipsen, 2020). Upon investigating his kill, he noticed the stork had an unfamiliar arrow lodged in its neck. After further examination by botanist Heinrich Gustav Flörkethat, the wood used in the arrow was traced back to the Upper Nile region in Central Africa (Curtis, 2023). This was a significant turning point in understanding bird migration, and this White Stork would later be known as Pfeilstorch- which translates to “arrow stork”.


Types of Migration

Migration can be categorized into four different types based on distance traveled. Below, Migration is broken down from the smallest to the largest trek.


Permanent Residents- Species that do not migrate, as they are able to find adequate food and resources throughout all seasons. These birds are more adaptable to different climates and typically have insulating feathers or have been conditioned to huddle to survive the cold. Being a permanent resident can pose territorial advantages like low competition and they avoid the risk of migration which can be strenuous and life-threatening.


Example Species: Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker.


(Pictured: Black-capped Chickadee, Source: Jocelyn Anderson, Macaulay Library)



Short-distance Migrants- Birds that make relatively small movements, mainly consisting of elevation changes from high mountains to low lands or changing landscapes from forest to plains. These birds typically travel within the same region to find more food or a better habitat. For example, species may migrate short distances to find flowing water or even move into urban areas where winter conditions are more manageable. Short migrations allow birds to access additional resources while conserving energy by avoiding a long migration.


Example Species: American Robin, Dark-eyed Junko, Eastern Bluebird.


Medium-distance Migrants- Birds that travel a few hundred miles, often across states and regions. Medium-distant migrants travel to areas with favorable nesting conditions and abundant food. These species leave regions of freezing temperatures but don’t necessarily require a tropical climate. Medium-distant migrations are advantageous because there is reduced competition for food and habitat during breeding seasons.


Example Species: Red-winged Blackbird, Sandhill Crane, Yellow-rumped Warbler.



(Pictured: Sandhill Crane, Source: Robert Bocheneck, Macaulay Library)


Long-distance Migrants- Species that migrate up to thousands of miles, including migration across countries and continents. This category of migrants is motivated to make the trek to exploit highly available food sources like nectar or insects. These birds seek an environment with few predators and plenty of nesting sites. As resources in southern climates become more competitive, many tropical birds migrate north to take advantage of longer summer days.


Example Species: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Common Loon.


The Mississippi Flyway


Pictured above, the Mississippi Flyway is one of four major migration routes in North America, serving as a vital corridor for millions of birds each year. This route covers land from the northern parts of Canada, across the central United States, and extends down to Central and South America. Birds traveling along this flyway benefit from its diverse geography, which includes forests, wetlands, prairies, and waterways. Following the natural contours of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes region, the flyway offers a wealth of critical stopover points, breeding habitats, and abundant food resources for weary travelers.

Michigan plays a particularly important role in the Mississippi Flyway. Diverse ecosystems, from coastal wetlands to inland forests, provide essential resting and refueling sites for species ranging from songbirds to raptors. The Great Lakes themselves act as a natural funnel, concentrating flocks along Michigan’s many shorelines. Stopover sites like the Great Lakes are great resting spots as they provide access to insects, seeds, and aquatic prey, which are vital for replenishing their energy. These factors make Michigan a significant link in the chain of habitats that sustain migrating birds along the Mississippi Flyway.


What Types of Birds Use the Mississippi Flyway?

Did you know that over 300 species of birds use the Mississippi Flyway each year? This number includes some of Michigan’s favorite Waterfowl, Songbirds, Raptors, and Shorebirds. Below is a breakdown of Michigan birds that follow the Mississippi Flyway when migrating.

Waterfowl- These birds rely heavily on wetlands and water environments and typically have adaptations like webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and nictitating membranes (the equivalent of a contact lens for diving underwater). 40% of waterfowl and shorebirds use the Mississippi Flyway when migrating, and these species typically travel from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Some examples of waterfowl species that migrate in Michigan include Mallards, Canadian Geese, Wood Ducks, Common Mergansers, and Tundra Swans.


(Pictured: Wood Duck, Source: Detroit Free Press)



Songbirds- Making up over half of all bird species, Songbirds are the largest and most evolved group of birds on the planet. Categorized under the “perching birds” order (Passeriforms order), songbirds are characterized by their small to medium size and are known for their unique calls. These perching birds share a distinct foot structure, featuring 3 forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe. Surprisingly, songbirds typically migrate further south, reaching parts of Central and South America. Some examples of migrating songbird species in Michigan include House Sparrows, House Finches, and Tree Swallows.




(Pictured: Tree Swallow, Source: Rodney Campbell, flickr)


Raptors- Characterized by their hooked beak, sharp talons, and remarkable vision, Raptors are birds of prey that play a significant role in ecosystems. Like all other types of birds, raptors migrate to find more abundant food which consists of small mammals, fish, and smaller birds. While it is more common for raptors to migrate alone, many species fly in groups called “kettles” (source). Raptors make use of the Mississippi Flyway as it provides stopover sites such as the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Additionally, thermals and updrafts provide significant assistance in their migration. A thermal is created when there is an imbalance in warm and cool air and creates a rising column of air that birds can use to gain altitude while conserving energy. Examples of raptors that utilize the Mississippi Flyway include Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, and Turkey Vultures.


(Pictured: Osprey, Source: Dennis Devers, Macaulay Library)


Shorebirds- Also known as waders, shorebirds are a diverse group of birds that dwell in marshes, mud flats, and all types of wetlands. They are known for their relatively long legs for wading, and thin, pointy beaks for digging in mud or sand. Shorebirds prey on insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Shorebirds are highly migratory, as frost and snow cover the shorelines, these birds must move south to maintain a food source. Shorebirds can fly thousands of miles nonstop, stretching from Canada to South America. The longest recorded non-stop flight is held by a Bar-tailed Godwit, spanning nearly 7,000 miles. Some examples of migrating shorebirds include Killdeer, Sanderling, and Terns.


(Pictured: Killdeer, Source: Ray Chiarello, Macaulay Library)



Birding at Our Properties



Birding at the Bayou 2024


Now that we know all about bird migration, how can we watch the phenomenon unfold? The Chocolay Bayou Nature Preserve and Tory's Woods Nature Preserve provide some of the best opportunities to experience migration up close. Both properties feature diverse landscapes of wetlands and forests that are critical stopover points for birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway. By offering safe places to rest and refuel, our properties are vital in supporting migratory species as they journey through the region.

Protecting these critical habitats is central to UPLC’s mission. Every acre of conserved land helps sustain birds, wildlife, and entire ecosystems that depend on these natural spaces. By visiting our preserves, you can witness the beauty of migration firsthand and join us in managing these vital pathways for future generations. While bird migration is an important seasonal event, it is also a testament to the interconnectedness of nature, and a call to action for its preservation.

If you are interested in learning more about birding at UPLC properties, check out this short blog, Birding at the Bayou, and stay tuned for future events and property updates.

11 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page