Bird migration patterns are changing and climate change may be to blame | Smart News

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Pictured: Richard’s Pipits (Anthus richardi) migrate on an east-west axis instead of heading south to warmer latitudes. JJ Harrison via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 3.0

Each year, birds begin to migrate from nesting areas to wintering areas as abundant food sources begin to decline. As winter approaches and insects and other resources dwindle, birds in the northern hemisphere will move south. However, two recent studies have shown that climate change can alter bird migration patterns.

A study published Oct. 22 in Current Biology found that Richard’s pipits (Anthus richardi) migrate on an east-west axis instead of heading south to warmer latitudes, Jake Buehler reports for Science News. The bird generally breeds in Siberia and winters in South Asia. Although the bird has become a common sight in southern Europe in recent years, sightings were sporadic in the 1980s and 1990s. Researchers observing Richard’s pipits suspect that global warming may play a role in the establishment of new migratory routes.

A separate study published in Global Change Biology on October 25 analyzed 50 years of birding data. Researchers have found that some trans-Saharan migratory birds spend less time in their winter retreats in Africa and more time in their breeding grounds in Europe, reports Mark Waghorn for Study Finds. If this migration pattern continues, birds may not need to winter in Africa at all if they can find food and habitat in Europe all year round. This change may lead to increased competition for resources between migratory birds and resident birds that never leave their homes, a statement said.

“The changes in migratory patterns we are already seeing could result in longer breeding seasons for these species, as well as spillover effects on other species, both here in the UK and in migration destinations. traditional winter, ”says the study’s first author, Kieran. Lawrence, a graduate student at Durham University, in a statement.

Richard’s pipits

To track the pipits and find out why they can move west instead of south, the researchers tagged seven pipits in France during the winter of 2019 to 2020. The following winter, the team took over three of the seven birds and analyzed their routes. Data showed the three birds had returned to southwest Siberia for the summer before returning to France, Science News reports.

The team also examined photographs of 331 pipits in Europe and North Africa from citizen science databases. The group aged each bird based on its appearance and found that vagrants, or birds that fly outside their range, were still adolescents, according to Science News. But the birds that migrated west were all adults, and climate change may have altered the pipit’s migration patterns. Using a computer model comparing weather conditions in Europe between 1961 and 1990 and 1990 to 2018, the researchers found that parts of southern Europe are now more suitable wintering grounds for birds than in the past. Another factor contributing to the bird route change is the urbanization of the sites in South Asia to which the birds have previously migrated. However, the team still needs to investigate further before confirming.

In addition to Richard’s pipit, other birds such as the yellow-browed warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) and the Siberian owl (Phylloscopus collybita tristis) have also been spotted migrating to western Europe, suggesting that some migratory birds may be able to adapt to climate change, per Science News, but it’s crucial to note that not all bird species can adapt.

European migratory birds, such as the willow warbler, garden warbler (pictured) and nightingale, arrived at their wintering sites in Africa later in the fall. Ron Knight via Wikicommons under CC BY 2.0 Trans-Saharan Migratory Birds

Data from over 50 years of birding retreats in Africa and the southern coast of Spain revealed that between 1964 and 2019, European migratory birds, such as the willow warbler, the garden warbler and the nightingale, arrived at their wintering sites in Africa later in the fall. . In the spring, the birds also left the area earlier than before, reports Patrick Barkham for the Guardian. The finding suggests that birds are staying longer in their summer destinations instead of migrating to Africa for more resources and warmer climates, as more vegetation is available for longer in their summer locations.

Many birds are currently facing a decline in their populations and avoiding the difficult journey to other places may help some species survive, reports the Guardian. The team plans to simulate the new migration patterns to understand how migration patterns may change over time.

Birds Climate change Migration

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