Virginia is home to a diverse array of bird species. Many of these birds are migratory, traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles each year between their breeding grounds in Virginia and their wintering grounds farther south. Understanding bird migration patterns helps us better protect and conserve these species.
Some key questions about bird migration in Virginia include:
What are the major flyways used by migrating birds in Virginia?
Virginia lies along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the major north-south migratory routes used by birds in eastern North America. The Atlantic Flyway stretches from the Arctic down to South America. Many species follow this flyway on their annual migrations, stopping along the coast and interior of Virginia.
What are the peak migration times in Virginia?
Spring migration peaks in April and May as birds return to Virginia to breed. Fall migration peaks in September and October as birds depart for their wintering grounds. Some species like shorebirds may migrate through in July and August as well.
Where do most songbirds that breed in Virginia spend the winter?
Most migratory songbirds travel south to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for the winter. Warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, and other songbirds can’t survive cold northern winters so they migrate to warmer climates.
Where do most raptors that breed in Virginia spend the winter?
Many raptors like hawks, eagles, and falcons winter in the southern United States where they can still find adequate food supplies. However, some raptors travel farther south into Central and South America.
Where do most shorebirds and waterfowl that breed in Virginia spend the winter?
Shorebirds and waterfowl winter in coastal habitats farther south, with many species traveling to Mexico, Central and South America. Some waterfowl like Tundra Swans migrate completely across North America to winter along the Pacific Coast.
Do any birds that breed in Virginia stay here year-round?
A handful of Virginia’s breeding birds, like some owls, woodpeckers, and chickadees, are year-round residents. They may migrate short distances within the state to find food but do not make massive migrations.
Major Migratory Flyways Used by Virginia’s Birds
As mentioned above, the key flyway used by migratory birds in Virginia is the Atlantic Flyway. Here are some more details:
Atlantic Flyway
The Atlantic Flyway follows the Atlantic Coast from Florida to the Maritimes and northeastern Canada. Many birds follow this route over the ocean to avoid barriers like the Appalachian Mountains. Major landforms that concentrate birds along the Virginia portion of the flyway include the Chesapeake Bay and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Coastal Virginia provides critical stopover habitat for migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds to rest and refuel during their long journeys. Some inland species also use the Atlantic Flyway over ocean routes.
Mississippi Flyway
While less prominent in Virginia, the western side of the state sees some birds migrating via the Mississippi Flyway which stretches north to south through the Great Plains and Midwest. Species like waterfowl often use this more interior route through western Virginia.
Peak Spring Migration Times in Virginia
Spring migration happens over a broader time frame, typically from March through May in Virginia. Here are some details on when specific groups arrive:
Early March
Some early migrating waterfowl like swans, geese, and diving ducks start arriving along the Atlantic Coast in early March. Early shorebirds like killdeer, woodcock, and common snipe also arrive.
Mid-March to Early April
More ducks and blackbirds reach Virginia. Sparrows, grackles, and other songbirds also start arriving. Raptors like osprey and harriers return.
Mid-April to Early May
Peak migration period for most songbirds like warblers, vireos, thrushes, and orioles. More shorebirds also pass through Virginia coastal areas.
May
Later migrants including some hawks, wood-warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and flycatchers continue passing through Virginia. By late May, spring migration is wrapping up as birds settle into nesting territories.
Peak Fall Migration Times in Virginia
In the fall, migration is compressed into August through November as birds rush south before winter. Here are the peak times:
August
Some early migrating shorebirds start heading south by late July and August. Terns and osprey also begin migrating.
September
Fall songbird migration peaks. Swift movements of warblers, vireos, thrushes, tanagers, orioles, buntings, flycatchers and more through Virginia. Raptors like broad-winged hawks migrate south in waves.
October
Ducks, geese, swans and remaining shorebirds continue migrating through Virginia. Sparrows peak. Late migrating hawks fly south.
November
Final migratory movements as last northern migrants pass through Virginia. Loons, grebes, and sea ducks migrate along the coast. Rusty blackbirds and other winter finches arrive.
Wintering Grounds of Virginia’s Migratory Birds
To escape the cold Virginia winters, different species head to distinct wintering regions:
Songbirds
Most songbirds winter in the southern U.S, Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean islands. For example:
- Ovenbirds winter in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America
- Black-throated blue warblers winter in the Caribbean islands
- Scarlet tanagers winter in South America
- Rose-breasted grosbeaks winter in southern Mexico and Central America
Warmer climates allow insectivorous songbirds to find adequate food during the winter months.
Raptors
Many raptors migrate shorter distances, wintering in southern U.S. states like Georgia, Florida, Texas and even California. For example:
- Red-tailed hawks winter across the southern U.S. and Mexico
- Northern harriers winter from coast to coast in the southern half of the U.S.
- American kestrels winter throughout the southern U.S. into Mexico
- Peregrine falcons that breed in Virginia head south along the Atlantic Coast
The ample prey base allows raptors to survive in these southern regions.
Shorebirds
Most shorebirds migrate long distances to coastal wintering sites in Mexico, Central and South America. For example:
- Semipalmated sandpipers winter along the northern coasts of South America
- Short-billed dowitchers winter from Mexico south to Peru
- Dunlins winter down the Pacific Coast from California through Central and South America
Coastal wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds to forage along muddy shores.
Waterfowl
Ducks, geese and swans also head south to warmer climates with open water. Key wintering areas include:
- Chesapeake Bay and coastal Carolinas for tundra swans
- Gulf Coast for snow geese and dabbling ducks
- California and Gulf Coast for diving ducks like canvasbacks
- Mexico and farther south for species like blue-winged teal
Waterfowl rely on wetland habitats with adequate food supplies through the winter.
Year-Round Residents
While most leave Virginia for the winter, some species tough out the cold and remain here year-round. These include:
Owls
Year-round owls such as the Eastern screech-owl and Barred owl can withstand cold temperatures and hunt rodents in the winter.
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers like the downy, hairy, red-bellied and Northern flicker remain in their Virginia breeding territories year-round. They roost in cavities and feed on insects as well as fruits and seeds.
Chickadees
Hearty Black-capped chickadees and Carolina chickadees maintain permanent residency, able to find sufficient food in the winter. Chickadees can drop their body temperatures and slow their metabolism to make it through cold nights.
Nuthatches
White-breasted nuthatches and red-breasted nuthatches also tough out Virginia winters. They frequent feeders and cache foods like acorns to survive.
Titmouse
Tufted titmice remain year-round, frequenting feeders and sometimes even stash insects in bark crevices to eat later during winter.
| Species | Wintering Regions |
|---|---|
| Ovenbird | Mexico, Central America, Northern South America |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler | Caribbean Islands |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Southern U.S., Mexico |
| Semipalmated Sandpiper | Northern Coasts of South America |
| Tundra Swan | Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Carolinas |
| Eastern Screech Owl | Remains in Virginia Year-Round |
Conclusion
In conclusion, migratory birds in Virginia exhibit diverse migration behaviors and wintering strategies. Most songbirds travel south to spend winter in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America where insect food remains plentiful. Raptors migrate shorter distances to winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Shorebirds head all the way down the coasts of Central and South America. Waterfowl disperse across the southern U.S. coasts, Gulf of Mexico, and farther south. A select few species like chickadees and woodpeckers tough out the cold Virginia winters. Understanding the migratory cycles and flyways used by Virginia’s birds allows us to better protect wetland stopover habitats and conserve these species throughout their annual journeys.
