TFGT: A Long Flight Home Letterbox Hybrid

Jiggs Landing. Photo by Scott Veix

Each year, thousands of birds migrate, or move, from one place to another. Many different animals migrate - birds, butterflies, bats, and even whales all migrate at different times for different reasons. But birds in particular are known for their annual migration; nearly everyone has heard that birds “fly south” for the winter. Not all birds migrate, but those that do undertake their great journeys each year in search of commonalities including warmer weather, food availability, and better habitat. As the seasons change up north, we see a number of new bird species arriving in Florida (right around the time the human “snowbirds” appear too!). Some of these birds will spend the entire winter in the state and others will continue on southward to South America and beyond.

To prepare for migration, birds must alter their body metabolism. Many accumulate fat before long flights as fat provides lots of energy for flight. “Hyperphagia” begins about 2 to 3 weeks before migration. This is the time when a bird’s appetite and food consumption changes in order to prepare for migration. The feeding frenzy results in lots of fat production and storage that will help with the long flight ahead. Many species will also shift their activity period; instead of being active in the day they may become more active at night in order to fly at times when there are fewer predators and a greater likelihood of encountering favorable winds.

Map of North America's migration flyways

The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, two of four that occur throughout North America, are the two pathways that bring birds in to Florida. Most birds that migrate use one of these paths in order to reach their seasonal homes, flying together as a flock. The flocks can include birds of all one type or, in the case of birds that do not normally fly in flocks, a group of a number of different species. Safety in numbers is the rule for migration and birds will come together and be unusually social in the hopes of improving survival. A flock of birds also means more eyes to spot potential food sources, and a flock flying in formation can improve aerodynamics and help all of the birds together to have an easier flight.

Jiggs Landing, along with all of Manatee County’s preserves, is not just a home for its resident wildlife. It also serves as a “stopover site” for migratory bird species. Stopover sites are important as they provide a sort of “rest stop” for a long vacation road trip. Providing restored preserve sites in the County means that the birds can find places where shelter, food, and water are abundant. Here they can rest from their long flight before resuming their journey. During migration you, too, can provide a stopover area for birds. The easiest way to do this is by setting up a bird feeder for birds to use as they migrate. You can also provide several different types of feeders to attract a variety of species. Providing water in the form of a water feature with moving water or bird bath is also beneficial to birds. A longer lasting and more permanent impact can be obtained by planting appropriate native trees and shrubs to serve as temporary habitat for visiting birds, and maintaining wetland areas such as ponds and streams that naturally occur on the property. You can transform your yard into a bird-friendly site using a number of different methods, from quick and easy changes to long term improvements, making a positive impact on the local and migratory bird community.

Anyone can claim this cache, but to be eligible for the Taking Flight Geo Tag, stamp your Passport with the stamp included in the cache box. Keep an eye out for any species you may see flying overhead – perhaps they are heading on their annual flight!