Birds announcing their migration is a normal sight every year with the transition of the seasons and decreasing daylight.Birds in thousands move in a different way, first probably from the cold regions as they come to bear and finally retreating to places that are warm and have plenty of food.
Birds’ migrations are truly miracles of nature and magnificent events. Nevertheless, these birds do have their specific paths and these are known as flyways—the old aerial highways.
The migration routes connect all the continents and oceans making them the communication channels between the most isolated regions of the Earth. For the birdwatchers who are really passionate about it, knowing the flyways is more than just the geography—it is the very heart of global bird migration and also a chance to plan the most amazing birding trips in the world.
Thus, we present to you the eight main global flyways every birder should be aware of, with the accompanying reasons as to why they are all so significant.
- Pacific Americas Flyway
The Pacific coast is the route of the migration where among the rest the Western Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, and Red Knot are the birds that come together in the waterlogged areas, river mouths, and sandy beaches to sleep and feed.
The top places for birdwatching are the same as before: San Francisco Bay (USA), Panama Bay (Panama), and Chiloe Island (Chile) – but you can see a variety of species of birds in each of these places.
Tip: for the maximum viewing of shorebirds at one time, spring or fall migration should be the time to visit.
- Central Americas Flyway
The Western Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, and Red Knot together with other species are the ones that take the Pacific coast as the migratory route, and they find the waterlogged areas, river mouths and sandy beaches good places for sleeping and feeding.
The best places for birdwatching remain the same as in the past: San Francisco Bay (USA), Panama Bay (Panama), and Chiloe Island (Chile) – but the number of species of birds in each of these places is different.
Tip: the best time to see the largest number of shorebirds together would be the spring or fall migration period.
- Atlantic Americas Flyway
The Atlantic Americas Flyway is, without a doubt, one of the major bird migration routes, and so the whole eastern part of North America. It is an unbroken trail that traverses the ice-covered coasts of Canada in the Arctic to the very tip of the continent in the south. Among other migratory birds, terns and ducks are mentioned here; they are slowly but surely coming and getting heard in their migrations, taking their resting times or wandering over the beaches and wetlands, or just rapidly moving through places like the Bay, Delaware Bay, and Brazilian beaches. The Arctic Tern, which is the bird flying the longest-distance, is one of the rarest birds that follow this flyway. In fact, it moves from the North Pole to the South Pole and it is involved in an estimated annual flight of 70,000 kilometers!
The best places for birdwatching are Delaware Bay in the USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and Pantanal in Brazil. The highlight is the horseshoe crab season at Delaware Bay, which is the indispensable feeding frenzy for the migrant sandpipers!
- East Atlantic Flyway
The migration route that connects Northern Europe to Greenland and West Africa is a principal route for a vast array of waders and waterfowl species.
Besides, numerous other birds such as the Eurasian Curlew and Barnacle Goose are taking the advantage of the annual movement cycle to visit wetlands and estuaries, the most known of which is Wadden Sea (Netherlands) and Banc d’Arguin (Mauritania) for very quick rests during their migrations.
It is most probable that the birds will be the most visible in Wadden Sea National Park, Banc d’Arguin National Park, and Camargue (France). Birdwatching tours that are eco-friendly, orientated towards conservation and geared towards photography would certainly rate the place as a superb option for that reason.
- Mediterranean–Black Sea Flyway
This pathway connects Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, traversing some of the most historical and picturesque areas on the planet.
The spectacle and beauty of this migratory route are incredible, from White Storks soaring in the air over Turkey to Eagles flying in the air over Egypt.
One of the most convenient places to witness is the migration path that literally connects the birders visiting Europe and North Africa.
The main spots for birdwatchers are the Bosphorus Strait (Turkey), the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt), and Lake Bardawil.
What to see: Every autumn the thousands of storks and raptors passing through the Bosphorus are a stunning sight.
- Central Asian Flyway
The Central Asian Flyway is of considerable importance to India and the South Asian region. It is a long route from Siberia to the Indian Ocean and supports more than 250 species of migratory birds like Bar-headed geese, demoiselle cranes, and Siberian cranes.
The area draws a vast influx of migrating birds in winter months, thus ranking it among the top venues for bird watching in Asia. The above-mentioned parks together with the famous lakes of Chilika and also Sultanpur National Park are the greatest birdwatchers’ spots in India. A piece of advice: the period from November to February when the maximum number of migratory birds is around is the most suitable for bird watching.
- East Asian–Australasian Flyway
This remarkable migratory pathway, which is 25,000 km long, commencing in Alaska and Russia, going through East Asia, and finally to Australia and New Zealand, is one of the phenomena of nature.
Among the birds that migrate along this route, the Bar-tailed godwit is the most exceptional because it flies non-stop for 11,000 km, which is the longest flight of all. Bird enthusiasts can get the most out of the Yellow Sea (China/Korea), Kakadu National Park (Australia), and Boondall Wetlands (New Zealand) as the finest spots to witness the astounding variety of birds.
The issue of saving birds: The problem of the destruction of the habitat around the Yellow Sea is a very tough one, and one of the solutions is the promotion of eco-tourism, which will be beneficial in the long run as it will eventually lead to the safeguarding of these vital halt points.
- West Pacific Flyway
The West Pacific Flyway is a route that is taken by birds travelling from Siberia to New Zealand and it is made up of islands and coral reefs, which are not directly connected.
The West Pacific Flyway is a route that supports the existence of such tropical birds as the Pacific Golden Plover and the Wandering Tattler on the tiny Pacific islands. The finest places for birdwatching are the Philippines, Micronesia, and Fiji.
Tip: Ideal for those birdwatchers who love a combination of adventure travel and nature watching during the migration season.
Why Bird Migration Routes Matter
Bird migration routes aren’t merely aerial pathways; they are the connections between continents, cultures and even ecosystems. The respective flyway correlates the presence of the active wetlands, forests, and coastlines. In case these habitats vanish, the birds will have no more places to stop and thus, extinction of entire species may occur. Therefore, bird lovers and bird tours become very significant in this context: through eco-tourism, conservation projects and local sanctuaries we are able to sustain these Migration Flyways.
Conclusion
The movement of a group of migratory birds in the sky is one of the most impressive nature showings. The little wingbeats carry a tale of survival, instinct, and camouflage that is done over thousands of miles.
For the ornithologists, knowing these eight worldwide flyways is similar to reading a nature’s atlas – they are getting a clue that the whole earth has one infinite living sky. On the other hand, through awareness, conservation, and eco-friendly travelling, the coming generations will be able to witness these magnificent migrations as well.
