Seasonal and day-to-day changes in weather dramatically influence the growth of plants and the timing and course of migration. Factors such as temperatures, wind speed and direction, pressure fronts, and precipitation can affect a migrating animal's route and timing, energy use and conservation, and physical health. These can also affect availability of food sources, such as insects and nectar.
Wind direction is one the most critical weather factors for most species we track. Warm spring winds from the south and cold fall winds from the north push migrants forward. Temperature is another key factor. In general a species arrives earlier than average in early warm springs; cool, late springs bring later arrivals. Many migrating species avoid rainy, overcast weather, fog, and high winds. Some will stop in the middle of their journey if they encounter bad weather while over land. Weather-Related Journey North Lessons and Reports:
But that's just for starters. A mix of weather-related factors influence each species' migration. For instance, robins often move ahead of warm fronts, arriving just before or along with rainy weather – just when their food source (earthworms) must emerge from their tunnels or drown! Weather at a migrating animal's destination can indeed be critical for survival. Imagine a water bird getting to its northern habitat to find that water bodies are still frozen! An adaptation for survival? Follow the spring thaw northward!
Wind direction is one the most critical weather factors for most species we track. Warm spring winds from the south and cold fall winds from the north push migrants forward. Temperature is another key factor. In general a species arrives earlier than average in early warm springs; cool, late springs bring later arrivals. Many migrating species avoid rainy, overcast weather, fog, and high winds. Some will stop in the middle of their journey if they encounter bad weather while over land. Weather-Related Journey North Lessons and Reports:
But that's just for starters. A mix of weather-related factors influence each species' migration. For instance, robins often move ahead of warm fronts, arriving just before or along with rainy weather – just when their food source (earthworms) must emerge from their tunnels or drown! Weather at a migrating animal's destination can indeed be critical for survival. Imagine a water bird getting to its northern habitat to find that water bodies are still frozen! An adaptation for survival? Follow the spring thaw northward!