Why Warbler Watch?
North American Warbler Breeding Data:
Spring and Fall Migration:
Warblers are highly migratory. Most species spend the majority of the year
in transit or wintering from the southern-most U.S. to South America. Birds
return to their northerly breeding grounds just long enough to breed and
raise young. Therefore, to better understand these birds, we need to map
not only their summer distribution but their wintering and migration
patterns as well. Migration routes vary among species; in fact, many
species' migrations are different in the spring than they are in the fall.
We know that Tennessee Warblers, for example, move up through the
Mississippi and Ohio river valleys in the spring, while in the fall, they
typically travel farther east. Blackpoll Warblers likewise take a more
easterly path in the fall, with a large portion of these migrants heading
out over the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and continuing
their migration as far south as the Peruvian Andes. Warbler Watch will map
the migratory routes of all North American warbler species.
The warbler breeding data you submit will be used to create a breeding atlas of North American warblers. Many
species, such as the Cerulean Warbler, are showing population declines. A few -- Kirtland's and Golden-cheeked -- are already
endangered. The information you provide will make an important contribution to this long-term project. Your efforts will help
protect endangered warbler species and ensure common warblers remain common. Find out more about each warbler species by
visiting the Warbler I.D. guide, which will also take you directly to the
Breeding Bird Survey.
Thanks to their efforts, you can view the amazing migrations warblers
make across North America. The animated maps in the
Warbler Watch Maproom illustrate the routes and the timing of these continent-wide bird movements.
Thanks for watching for warblers!