Spring migration season is upon us and that means thousands of species are making their way to and through the US. As your resident bird nerds of North Carolina, we think that is pretty cool! So, what better way to welcome back our feathered friends than to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD)!

Why Birds Matter

This year’s IMBD theme is Why Birds Matter. So why not take this time to share or learn more about the many ways birds matter to the earth, its ecosystems and of course, people!

Spring is in the air, which also means bugs are buzzing, pollen is blowing and most importantly, birds are migrating! Birds are making a big difference for people during springtime. Here’s how:

• Providing pest control
• Cleaning their surroundings
• Spreading seeds
• Pollinating

How You Can Help Migrating Birds

As birds take flight, they need to be ready for the journey ahead, which may consist of hundreds or even thousands of miles between wintering and nesting grounds. Helping birds as they make the long journey is so simple! Actions as small as choosing to grow a native plant or putting up a nest box can give a migrating bird another day to survive and thrive this season. How can you give a bird another day to rest and another night to fly?

• Turn out the lights
• Grow native plants
• Respect babies on the beach

Click over to our Kick Off to Migration post to find out even more about what you can do during migration season.

Who’s Migrating?

Not only are migrating birds relying on the plants in your yard for food and shelter, they may stop to rest in one of the 96 Important Bird Areas in North Carolina. Are you curious of which birds are migrating to and through NC this season? Here are a few of our favorites and where you can spot them right now and in the months to come.

Piping Plovers have made their way to North Carolina’s beaches for a stopover to nest on their way from the Bahamas to Canada. Have you got your binoculars ready? These little birds will settle in to nesting colonies along our beaches this summer including the Cape Lookout National Seashore IBA.

Golden-winged Warblers are currently making the trek from South America to the higher elevations of Western North Carolina. Plan a stop through the Nantahala Mountains IBA to see if you can spot a pair this summer.

Wood Thrush, migrating from the tropics, can be found across the Piedmont this season. As a resident of rich forests, we suggest a visit to the Caswell Game Lands IBA in the Triad to enjoy a Wood Thrush this migration season.

This year’s International Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 4. Click to find an event in your area or find an IBA near you for some exceptional North Carolina birding adventures.