Dear Students:
As I am sure you are aware, weather plays a very important role in bird migration.

This spring, I will teach you how to read a weather map to try to predict areas of the country that might see large numbers of migrants landing.

Dr. David Aborn

Let's start by looking at the general features of a weather map:

The H's and L's represent high and low pressure centers, areas of swirling air.

So what does this all mean for birds?

Watch the High Pressure Systems
Birds want to fly with a tailwind to help them travel farther. In the spring, this means winds moving south to north. Headwinds, wind moving north to south (in spring), make it too difficult for birds to fly, so they are forced to land. Bad weather, such as heavy rain, also forces birds to land.

Since highs follow cold fronts, birds will be forced to land immediately following the passage of a cold front. After the high has moved east, usually a day or two later, the birds have tailwinds and take off again.

So why don't birds use low pressure systems?
The reason is that low pressure systems often bring bad weather with them, so even though the winds may be right, flying conditions are not good.

Is Today a Good Day for Migration?
Check out these weather maps and test your skills. Find the high pressure systems and look at the wind direction.

Dr. David A. Aborn