Celebrating Birds

Help Us Track The Migration of Birds 

Journey North citizen scientists help track the migration of Barn Swallow, Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Loons. We highlight the movement of these species within our Weather and Songbirds news updates. 

What to Report in the Spring? 

1. Your First Observation of a Barn Swallow in Spring:

For swallows, long-distance migration is like a typical day. A Barn Swallow may fly 600 miles a day capturing insects to eat. Announce the news when Barn Swallows return from their wintering grounds in South America.

Reporting category: Barn Swallow (FIRST sighted)

2. Your First Observation of a Baltimore or Bullock's Oriole in Spring

When Baltimore Oriole return this spring, they will have completed a round-trip journey from Central America. Citizen scientists are invited to report first-of-year observations of Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles. 

Reporting category: Oriole (1st Baltimore)

Reporting category: Oriole (1st Bullock's)

3. Your First Observation of a Common Loon in Spring

Reporting category: Loon (FIRST sighted)

Chuck Henrikson’s Birding Reports

Chuck Henrikson shares his love of birds by writing weekly birding reports These reports are a pleasure to read anytime of the year and his photographs are a feast for the eyes. Chuck leads birding adventures at Journey North’s home base, the UW–Madison Arboretum.

Weekly Forecasts for Migrating Songbirds: February to May 2022

Dr. Aborn's Weekly Weather Forecasts for Migrating Songbirds reports will return in February 2022. Learn how to read a weather map from a songbird’s point of view and discover how to use the maps to predict when you will see songbirds: Map Primer: How to Read a Weather Map from a Songbird’s Point of View