Bird Migration

Why do birds migrate??

•More food•To disperse their own breed to different regions•To protect their babies •To get away from predators•To avoid disease•Warmer/colder climate

How do migrating birds find their way??

•Inherit an ability to fly in a particular direction at a particular time of the year•The position of the sun in the sky•At night, recognise the position of the stars•Landmarks such as coastal headlands, river valleys and ranges of hills •Magnetic sense??

How we study migrating birds:

•A method called ringing is used to study and identify migrating birds.•Each ring consists of a different number.• Birds are caught at special trapping locations, ringed and then released back into the sky. •We can tell about bird movements by identifying the country of the ring on the bird caught.

What challenges and threats do they face on long journeys?

•Cold weather•Hot weather, drought, no water•Bigger, more vicious, dangerous birds•Human hunting

Activities to do with children about bird migration:

•Make bird houses and put food out to help feed the migrating birds.•Read books to children about the issue of migration.

•Bird watching

•For older children, they can mark migration routes on the map

•Simple bird art, paintings•Learn about different climate types that birds can encounter (drought,blizzards etc.)•Teach kids about predators and bigger birds

•Teach kids simple facts about human interference and the danger of humans for birds.