Springfield, IL – Millions of birds are expected to cross the skies over Illinois this week as fall migration begins to peak across the Midwest.
According to BirdCast, a project led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University, more than 296 million birds are forecast to be in flight across the United States Friday night, with high concentrations expected over Illinois, Missouri, and surrounding states. Real-time maps from the program showed an estimated 22.8 million birds were in flight Thursday night, moving southward through the Mississippi Flyway.
Researchers said migration activity is detected by the NEXRAD weather radar system, which tracks nocturnal bird movements between sunset and sunrise. The system uses more than two decades of data to predict suitable migration conditions. Areas of Illinois and the central U.S. are currently highlighted in bright colors on the migration map, indicating heavy movement.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources shared the forecast Friday, reminding residents that fall migration is underway. The agency encouraged bird enthusiasts to explore BirdCast’s online maps to see how many flocks are flying over their region on any given night.
Experts note that migration intensity is influenced by weather, with precipitation and wind conditions playing a role in how far birds are able to travel in a single night. Forecast maps are updated every six hours to account for these changes.
Residents are urged to take part in conservation efforts by dimming outdoor lights during peak migration nights. Researchers say reducing light pollution helps prevent disorientation among migrating birds, which rely on natural signals such as the stars and moon to navigate.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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