Bird migration forecasts in real-time
When, where, and how far will birds migrate? Our migration forecasts will answer these questions for the first time.
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Migration tools
Bird migration forecast maps
Bird migration forecast maps show predicted nocturnal migration 3 hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Colorado State University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology currently produce these forecasts. Learn more
Local bird migration alerts
Search with our local migration alert tool to determine whether birds are passing overhead near your city tonight! Learn more
Live bird migration maps
See real-time analysis maps of intensities of actual nocturnal bird migration, as detected by the US weather surveillance radar network between local sunset to sunrise. Cornell Lab of Ornithology currently produces these maps.
Play live bird migration maps
Recent news
On Saturday 10 April, a frontal boundary is forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico region. Beginning midday Saturday, birds may begin concentrating in coastal habitats, particularly in the Upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts; but events may be quite complex, because forecasts suggest that the front will stall. Read more
Easterly winds are blowing in the North Atlantic, and they may bring some surprise visitors to northeastern North America. Read more
With this season's migration underway, the BirdCast team would like to highlight the potential for an unusual migration event associated with predicted weather in the Gulf of Mexico region. The first significant cold front likely to interact over the Gulf of Mexico with incoming trans-Gulf migrants is predicted to pass through the region from 17-20 March. Let’s take a moment to review the current conditions while considering some of the (simplified) mechanics of this fascinating system. Read more
NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Suomi NPP VIIRS data from Miguel Román, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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BirdCast Partners and Support
BirdCast is a consortium of interdisciplinary researchers, primarily from three organizations at present, with a growing list of collaborators, supporters, and partners. Learn more
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