On Highways of Wind

Bird migration is a natural phenomenon that has captured our imagination for centuries. These yearly journeys are driven by a combination of instinct, environmental cues, and survival strategies. 

“If you put your ears up and listen, you’ll hear birds, and life is changed forever - they’re all up there, in the air, migrating while we sleep, on highways of wind.”

~ Avian Ecologist, Jeff Wells

With this ornithic miracle of nature as the impetus, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center in Washington, DC dedicated a day each year to bird migration - for what they call, “one of the most important and spectacular events in the world.” An annual educational campaign simply called World Migratory Bird Day.

Each year, World Migratory Bird Day focuses on a theme; this year, the focus is on insects and their importance to bird life. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory birds and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of their migrations. 

In recent years, there has been an increased loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and all along avian migration routes. The transformation of natural spaces like forests and grasslands by intensive agriculture and urban development continue to negatively impact insect populations. Pesticides and herbicides also add to the elimination of insects, which in turn reduces the survival and reproductive rates of virtually all bird species.

So, this year, The World Migratory Bird Day campaign will stress the need for proactive conservation measures. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming. Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for not just birds, but many other creatures, big and small.

Although the official date lands on October 12 this year, Rome, Wisconsin has decided to celebrate “early bird” style, albeit with a few less worms. 

On Saturday, September 21st, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated in Rome, Wisconsin with activities throughout the day including presentations, guided tours, and hands-on demonstrations. Events like this are just another reason why Rome proudly flaunts its coveted designation of being an official Bird City. 

The coordinators of World Migratory Bird Day in Rome have invited Ashly Steinke, an ecologist who leads conservation programs for Audubon Great Lakes, to lead a discussion on the importance of grasslands and bird habitat. Ashly leads the Audubon Conservation Ranching program here in central Wisconsin where he works with beef and bison grazers to improve grassland bird habitat on their ranches. 

For those of you looking for a little exercise, there will be an information-packed guided tour at the Leola Marsh Wildlife Area, an 1,860-acre property located 15 miles southeast of Wisconsin Rapids. You’ll learn about prairie chickens which are unique to the grasslands of central Wisconsin. And though prairie chickens, like most birds in the wild, shy away from us as we get a little too close, you may get the chance to see for yourself some of these short-legged, chunky birds in their natural habitat as they forage for insects and peck for seeds and grains.

We know you’ll enjoy the Leola Marsh tour and the prairie chickens, because birds of any feather bring us joy, but it’s safe to say that the majestic birds of prey, also known as raptors, truly grab our attention. Maybe it’s their connection back to prehistoric times, their sheer presence, or maybe it’s their confident, almost arrogant, demeanor. 

“Anyone who has ever stopped to watch a hawk in flight will know that this is one of the natural world’s most elegant phenomena.”

~ Poet, John Burnside

You’ll be able to experience some of Wisconsin's most incredible raptors as wildlife educators from the Raptor Education Group bring their “ambassador” falcons, owls, and hawks for an up-close-and-personal show-and-tell. You’ll be so close, you’ll see every feather, hear their unique calls, and be able to look directly into their eyes. Their magnificent eyes. How cool is that?

Founded in 1990, the Raptor Education Group (REGI) initially focused on educational programming, but over the years has grown to address the rehabilitation needs of not only raptors, but swans, geese, and birds of all kinds. Each year the group takes in thousands of “patients” and continues to provide educational programs to hundreds of people throughout Wisconsin.

These are just a few of the activities and presentations planned for the day. To find out more, including times and locations, visit https://www.visitromewi.com/calendar/2024/9/21/birding-events-in-rome . 

World Migratory Bird Day is a special day, not just in Rome, but around the World. The phenomenon of bird migration is truly remarkable, and absolutely something for us to celebrate.

Written by: Lydell Capritta