30 Million Birds Flew over the Sunshine State Last Night – Including Millions in the Panhandle

While most Floridians slept, more than 30 million migrating birds crossed the Sunshine State last night as they made their way south to spend the winter in warmer climates.

According to birdcast.info:

4.3 million+ passed over Santa Rosa County

2.8 million+  passed over Escambia County

5.2  million+ passed over Okaloosa County

7.2 million+ passed over Walton County

6.6 million + passed over Bay County

5.1 million+ passed over Gulf County

5 million+ passed over Franklin County

6.1 million+ passed Wakulla County

7 million+ passed Taylor County

What is migration, anyway?

In the Northern Hemisphere, migratory birds fly north in the spring in search of food and nesting habitat. In the fall, they fly south, retreating from the cold temperatures and food shortages that winter brings.

More than 450 North American bird species migrate from summer breeding areas — which may be as far away as the Arctic Circle — to overwinter in South Florida or the tropics. Some fly thousands of miles every year, instinctively retracing their ancestral routes.

“Fall migration is much longer than spring, as birds don’t move as quickly,” says Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Director (and avid birder) Keith Laakkonen. “In the spring, birds are driven to time their arrival with the food resources they need to raise their families, but in the fall, weather patterns have more influence on their movements,” he added.

How can you see them?

Head to local parks and natural areas, like Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, or Gulf Islands National Seashore, especially at dawn. If you need help identifying what you see or keeping track of your sightings, check out the Audubon app.

Many Audubon chapters lead walks during migration. Find an Audubon chapter near you here.

How can you help them?

Support conservation lands.

Tell your local elected officials that you support city, county, and state conservation programs – like Florida Forever. Protected areas give these migrating birds plenty of space to rest as they make their impressive flights across the hemisphere.

Turn out lights at night.

Most migrating birds navigate at night, and lights can disorient them. Turn out as many lights as possible during migration season.

Reduce window strikes.

During daylight hours, birds collide with reflective surfaces when they stop to feed or rest, when avoiding a predator or flying from tree to tree. Shiny glass exteriors, internal plants near windows, glass corners, and greenery close to buildings can all be deadly as birds are unable to distinguish reflection from open flyway. To reduce collisions:

-       Create patterns on reflective glass surfaces (quantity and spacing matter: multiple markings 2 to 4 inches apart are recommended)

-       Install external screens on windows

-       Close blinds or curtains

-       Move interior plants away from windows

-       Place bird feeders directly on windows