Join BirdNote tomorrow, November 30th!
Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
On World Migratory Bird Day, Think of Insects
Recognizing a part of bird migration that is often overlooked
© Becky Matsubara
Today is World Migratory Bird Day, which recognizes the incredible journeys birds make, the challenges they face, and how we can help them on their way. This year, the focus is on a part of bird migration that is often overlooked: insects. Tiny insects provide food for birds’ big journey north and sustain birds on the breeding grounds. Many insect populations have greatly declined, but people can help by reducing pesticide use, buying organically-grown products, and gardening with native plants beloved by insects and birds alike.
BirdNote®
On World Migratory Bird Day, Think of Insects
Written by Conor Gearin
This is BirdNote.
[Willow Flycatcher song]
Today is World Migratory Bird Day, which recognizes the incredible journeys birds make, the challenges they face, and how we can help them on their way. This year, the focus is on a part of bird migration that is often overlooked: insects.
[Katydid and cricket chorus]
Tiny insects are a big reason why so many birds fly thousands of miles every year. In the spring, songbirds follow what’s called the “green wave” — the emergence of leaves on trees and shrubs across the northern hemisphere. Countless insects appear to eat the leaves, with billions of hungry birds hot on their trail. Birds chase the green wave north until they reach their breeding grounds. And there, it’s again the insects that sustain birds like this Willow Flycatcher through the summer.
[Willow Flycatcher song]
Declines in insect populations are making it harder for birds to find food. Pesticides and herbicides can have drastic effects on insect numbers, and that has consequences for birds looking for the next meal on their journey north.
People can help by reducing pesticide use, buying organically-grown products, and gardening with native plants beloved by insects and birds alike. Learn more about World Migratory Bird Day on our website, BirdNote dot org. I’m Jonese Franklin.
###
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Editor: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Content Director: Jonese Franklin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. ML84841 Willow Flycatcher and Environmental ML110317 recorded by Wil Hershberger.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2024 BirdNote May 2024
Narrator: Jonese Franklin
ID# wmbd-01-2024-05-11 wmbd-01
Reference:
https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/news/2023/world-migratory-bird-da…
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/take-the-long-way-home-green-wave-ex…
https://www.audubon.org/news/new-evidence-suggests-birds-surf-green-wav…
Jonese Franklin
Narrator
Conor Gearin
WriterSights & Sounds
Related Field Notes
Did you know that the United States shares many migratory songbird species with our ne
Gregg Thompson spotted this Greater Yellowlegs near the Skagit Wildlife Area in western Washingto