After a particularly ferocious winter, the ice is finally gone. The redbuds and dogwoods have bloomed and it’s time to welcome avian visitors and passers-through from the south. From February to May, the Atlantic Flyway — the broad migration super highway that runs through eastern North America from Florida to northern Quebec (and the other way around in the fall) — turns our region into one of the busiest routes of migratory birds in North America. And the routes of many species converge on the Delmarva Peninsula and along the Chesapeake Bay. Between breeding grounds in Canada and wintering areas as far south as South America, the land and waters of the Bay are the perfect pitstop for these travelers to rest their wings.

a brown and white bird perches on a branch with a fish in its claw

The osprey, one of the Chesapeake’s most iconic visitors, utilizing Chesapeake habitat to find a menhaden for lunch.

This time of year, waterfowl like tundra swans and snow geese, having spent the winter on the Bay, return to the far north. But songbirds, perching birds and many shorebirds, which winter in the tropics are now coming to the Chesapeake region, or at least passing through or stopping to rest on their way farther north. Most of our iconic ospreys have already returned from South America.

Soon after, songbirds and other perching birds will return to us in droves from April to May. Baltimore orioles, scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, and up to 35 species of warblers travel the Atlantic Flyway.

a small black and white bird rests on a tree branch

A migratory black and white warbler resting its wings.

Many species are hesitant to travel over the wide-open waters of the Bay itself, so they end up funneled through the Delmarva peninsula. The sheer number of migratory birds funneling through the Chesapeake bottleneck makes the Bay an important, but busy habitat–and we can help.

 

Windows

Unfortunately, hundreds of millions of birds are killed or injured worldwide due to window collisions. Glass can easily confuse birds, especially migratory ones flying through unfamiliar surroundings. Birds either perceive reflections of trees and sky as open habitat, or see what looks like an open corridor through a building. Luckily, bird-safe windows are an affordable, effective solution that we can even implement at home.

we are saving birds

Bird-safe window installation. These simple dots help birds recognize glass as barriers. Photo credit: alaudubon.org

Windows adorned on the outside with stripes, rows of dots or even artsy patterns help the birds see them as barriers. The rule of thumb for bird-friendly windows is the “2×4 rule.” The pattern or design on your window should be no more than 2 inches apart horizontally, and no more than 4 inches apart vertically — though 2 vertical inches is even safer for smaller species. Other solutions like ultraviolet coatings, etched glass, or external screens can make glass visible to birds. The most important aspect of most methods, however, is having these installations on the window’s exterior, so reflections don’t hide the patterns.

“Naturally, when you set out to photograph your daughter painting on your bay window, you first clean the filthy bay window. Honestly, I think our window may have been dirty enough that it was effectively bird-safe to begin with. While admiring our new and improved view, and figuring out how to get paint flowing out the tips of our window markers, we were shocked as a male house finch turned back just in time to avoid crashing into our immaculate work. What a nice compliment to our window cleaning abilities! More importantly, what a great reminder of how critical it is to provide our avian friends with a bit of contrast on our otherwise invisible windows.” – Adam Miller, Communications Director, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
a hand draws a green dinosaur cartoon on a window

Some simple paint markers can make for an inexpensive, fun way to improve your own space for traveling birds. Photo: Adam Miller

The good news is that larger-scale buildings are also incorporating these designs, with some cities even adopting building guidelines or legislation for newly-constructed structures. Green building certifications that incorporate wildlife protection can incentivize more bird-safe architecture as well. Join us at this year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival to learn more about bird-safe windows in the short film, Wild Hope: Building for Birds.

 

Lighting

In addition to the dangers of windows, we must consider how nighttime lighting can affect a bird’s ability to navigate. They can sometimes become confused by light rays, causing them to get stuck where they land — kind of like a deer freezing in the headlights. Check out Audubon’s Lights Out Program, which encourages folks to turn off unnecessary lighting during peak migration periods.

Downward-facing, warm temperature lighting is always best for birds on the move. Credit: Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve

To see bird migration patterns for your area, I recommend visiting the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website, BirdCast.info, which has both “near-real-time” and predictive nocturnal migration maps — as well as migration alerts for some areas. Studies have shown that when lights are turned out, trapped birds will continue their journeys within minutes. So, turning your lights out is a simple, effective way to help birds keep their strict travel schedules.

Birds also perceive light differently than humans, and are more sensitive to certain colors. Cooler-colored lighting like blue and green can disorient birds more than warmer tones like orange and red. If you don’t like the idea of complete darkness in your yard, there is some evidence showing that low-intensity yellow lighting is the least troublesome for birds. No matter what lighting choice you make, pointing the lights downward goes a long way. Upward-facing lights scatter light waves into the air above and can disorient night flyers.

 

Habitat

a hummingbird hovers next to an orange flower

A migrating ruby-throated hummingbird stops to enjoy some flaming bells.

The expansive estuary that is the Bay also provides vital food, shelter, and nesting sites for the hundreds of species on their commute. Its marshes, forests and waterways are ideal habitat for birds to rest and refuel. Wetlands and forests offer nesting areas and protection from predators, and beaches and flats give shorebirds a much-needed source of food, whether it’s horseshoe crab eggs, invertebrates or underwater grasses. Each of these unique habitats combine to create a landscape that can sustain bird populations throughout the year. Interested in helping migratory birds at home? Check out our Native Plant Center to see which bird-friendly plants are right for your own space!

a large black an white goose flying

A snow goose on its way north from Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

While we may think of the Chesapeake Bay as a scenic place to live and recreate, it’s more than that to migratory birds. It’s an essential pathway they rely on for their survival. If we lose the birds, we lose those breathtaking migrations, the picturesque V formations of geese, and most importantly, all the ecological benefits they bring to our watershed.

Large-scale approaches to these solutions will make the greatest difference, of course, but we can all contribute. We can decorate our windows for a festive migration season look — just remember the 2×4 rule, or, better still, the 2×2 rule. The simple act of making glass visible to birds can substantially reduce bird deaths. We can find some inexpensive lighting to help birds navigate through uncharted territory. We can convert some of our own space into a native food source or even install a simple bird house. Consider offering help this spring for our feathered friends on their arduous journeys.

Support the Alliance’s Efforts