Question: What do you think ornithologists Lowery and Newman learned when they focused a telescope on the moon and saw hundreds of birds winging past? In what ways, if any, could the full moon be a hindrance to the nighttime migrants themselves? Discussion: Lowery and Newman found out that nighttime migrants start flying soon after dark, and that the numbers are greatest between 10 pm and 1 am, with the hugest numbers between 11 pm and midnight. By dawn virtually all nocturnal migrants land to rest and feed. They also found that herons, geese, and shorebirds migrate in close formation, but that virtually all small birds fly alone. When huge numbers of little birds like warblers are migrating at the same time, we can see lots of them in the sky, but they aren't really together—except by chance. They make little "seet" sounds in the sky, probably to keep track of each other to avoid mid-air collisions. If the moon helps us to somtimes see the birds, it can be a hindrance to the nighttime migrants themselves. Many scientists believe that the glare of a full moon probably makes it harder for night migrants to see the stars. As a result, their navigation may sometimes be a bit less accurate during full moon nights. Copyright 2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form