Discover the newly updated BirdCast Migration Dashboard, an advanced tool offering comprehensive radar-based data on nocturnal bird migration. This feature provides real-time and historical insights into the number of migrating birds, their movement patterns, speeds, and flight altitudes. Currently, the dashboard covers data for counties and states within the contiguous US, giving you an unprecedented look at bird migration that was previously unavailable. Whether you’re exploring live data or reviewing historical records, the dashboard promises to unveil intriguing migration trends.
To start, simply select your preferred region in the contiguous US and choose a date from the 2021 or 2022 migration seasons. The tool offers two primary modes: “Live” for current migration data and “Historical” for past records. For newcomers, the BirdCast Migration Dashboard provides an easy-to-follow guide to understanding local migration trends in detail.
The dashboard features various metrics to interpret migration patterns effectively. For instance, the “Birds Crossed” counter tracks the total number of birds estimated to have overflown an area during the night, showing how quickly numbers increase with high migration intensity. This tool also calculates peak migration traffic, including the number of birds aloft, their direction, speed, and altitude, giving a clear picture of migration dynamics.
Flight direction and speed data are represented through vertical and horizontal axes on the dashboard, showing how birds’ flight patterns shift in response to seasonal and weather-related changes. Similarly, altitude data reveals the height at which birds are flying, with variations based on geography and weather conditions.
For a broader perspective, the “Birds in Flight (Nightly Average)” graph compares current migration trends to historical patterns. It highlights peaks and troughs in migration activity, offering valuable insights into seasonal trends. Additionally, the “Total Birds Crossed” measure shows the cumulative number of birds that have migrated over a region throughout the season.
The BirdCast Migration Dashboard also provides a list of nocturnally migrating species likely to be seen in your selected area, based on recent observations. Although this list does not encompass all possible species, it offers a snapshot of the most frequent migrants. The tool is currently available for live data from March 1 to June 15 in spring and August 1 to November 15 in fall, with historical data accessible outside these periods.
For those keen to explore bird migration further, consider examining the patterns from specific dates, such as April 17-20, 2021, to uncover migration trends and patterns in different regions. This exploration can reveal significant migration events and offer insights into how weather and other factors influence bird movements.
Feel free to dive into the BirdCast Migration Dashboard to enrich your understanding of bird migration and discover the dynamic patterns of these fascinating avian travelers.