Migratory Birds: Giving Them a Lift

Like weary travelers in search of a night’s rest, migrating birds frequently look for natural habitat where they can rest and refuel along journeys that may be thousands of miles long.

These pockets of habitat, called stopover sites, are especially important in Southeast Michigan and the western Lake Erie basin. The region sits at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. Millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, water birds, and land birds pass through the area each spring and fall on northbound and southbound journeys.

“The western Lake Erie basin has a rich diversity of wetlands and adjacent uplands, which provide refuge for migratory birds,” explains Dave Ewert of The Nature Conservancy. “Birds traveling through this area concentrate at these remaining wetlands and sites with natural cover because so much of the landscape is urban or agricultural.”

Protecting and enhancing natural habitat for migratory birds is becoming increasingly important. At a March workshop sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, DTE Energy Foundation, and Michigan Sea Grant, speakers discussed strategies that land managers can use to enhance stopover sites and the natural features that benefit migratory birds.

Protecting wetlands is critical. If wetlands occur on the property, says Ewert, it is important to retain them, as wetland habitats support a wide array of species during migration.

Among the migrants that frequently use wetlands are waterfowl species such as American black duck, blue winged teal, canvasback, and tundra swan.

Emphemeral wetlands, or those that form seasonally, are also important as are undisturbed sites and protected areas with minimal foot traffic. These areas benefit shorebirds such as sandpipers, piping plovers, and dowichers by providing the habitat they need to search for aquatic insects and other food sources.

Raptors and landbirds require habitat with a diversity of native plants and trees, including oak, willow, and hackberry, and dogwood. Native plants are especially important because many provide a nutritious source of food in the form of berries. Migrating land birds attracted to wooded habitat might include golden winged warblers, Henslow’s sparrow, wood thrush, and Kirtland’s warbler.

Enhancing stopover sites can have a significant benefit for migrants, which encounter many threats along their journeys. In addition to habitat loss, the birds face other obstacles resulting from the encroachment of invasive plants (reducing food and shelter), shoreline modification, the disappearance of mudflats, and water quality degradation.

Another significant threat comes from lights left on in the upper floors of skyscrapers during the night. See: Project Safe Passage

As a first step in enhancing habitat, land managers or owners, ideally with several acres of land, should first assess the current condition of their property and surrounding land uses. They may also wish to seek advice from organizations familiar with habitat creation and management for migrants that have outreach programs, such as Michigan Sea Grant.

“When considering a habitat project, landowners should start with a site assessment to determine existing land contours, soil types and vegetation,” explains Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Mary Bohling. “This information can be used to their advantage, increasing the chances of a successful project and sometimes reducing the costs.”

Where feasible, reduce coverage by plants such as purple loosestrife, Phragmites, and other aggressive weeds that invade marshes and retain a buffer around wetlands.

In uplands, encourage development of grassland, shrublands and woodlands by expanding natural habitat currently on your property. Allow native species to colonize the area or plant native species, such as oaks, willows, hickories and hackberries that are favored by migrating landbirds.

Links

• Nature Conservancy - Michigan Chapter
• Michigan Audubon Society
  

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