Bird Migration - Flyways

While hiking the Riverside Trail at the Montshire Museum of Science, we came along this sign which explains bird migration. The route 91 corridor, from the mouth of the Connecticut River (in the Long Island Sound) to the Canadian border, plays an important role in New England bird migration. This exhibit is aimed at educating the public in the importance of migratory birds (and insects, i.e. the Monarch butterfly) in our environment and the need to protect the environment along these bird flyways. Migratory birds and insects need three distinct environments in which to survive: their winter home, their summer home, and safe "rest stops" along the path from one home to the other. Urban development and mowing along the sides of highways has decreased the number of safe stopping areas, and has limited food resources.

You can visit the Nutty Birdwatcher for more information about birds and migration. This site has maps of North American Bird Flyways, bird identifications, habitat information, feeding suggestions, and a list of further links.