Migratory Stopover Habitat

Black-throated Blue Warbler Photo: Kenneth Cole Schneider / FlickrCC

Investing in "Stopover" Habitat

Nearly 200 species of songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, marsh birds, and shorebirds migrate across the Great Lakes relying heavily on nearshore habitat to provide refuge along the way. The sheer size of the lakes present an initial hurdle in the fall and final hurdle in the spring for many of these long distance migrants. Through our Great Lakes initiative, Audubon has prioritized conservation activities aimed at the important coastal stopover habitat for migratory birds and that support other wildlife. Stopover sites are places for birds to rest, refuel, and seek shelter during their bi-annual migration, the most perilous stage of a bird’s lifecycle.

In the face of urban and agricultural sprawl, the quantity of natural stopover habitat is decreasing, and the quality of remaining native cover is declining as invasive species disrupt habitat structure and food sources. In coordination with the Chicago office, Audubon’s national science team has refined existing tools such as Audubon’s climate data and Important Bird Areas, the Great Lakes Migratory Bird Stopover Portal, and radar data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to identify the places where we can make the most efficient use of limited conservation dollars for habitat restoration that includes considerations of climate resiliency and sustainable future management.

Some species of concern, such as Golden-winged Warbler (pictured), are more likely than other to die from window collisions. Photo: Arni Stinnissen/Audubon Photography Awards

Great Lakes Initiative
Great Lakes

Great Lakes Initiative

Audubon is creating a cohesive strategy across the region to address these threats to the birds of the Great Lakes.

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Coastal Wetlands
Coastal Wetlands

Coastal Wetlands

The Great Lakes region is home to the largest wetland ecosystem in the Midwest.

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Illinois Coastal Stopover Tool
Migratory Stopover Habitat

Illinois Coastal Stopover Tool

Among some of the most important and dangerous stopover regions in North America is the Illinois Coastal Region.

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Native Plants Help Spring Migrants Across the Great Lakes
Blog

Native Plants Help Spring Migrants Across the Great Lakes

Exploring the four major food groups for birds through the lens of native plants

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Birdist Rule #70: Get Prepared for Spring Migration
The Nest

Birdist Rule #70: Get Prepared for Spring Migration

Know where you need to be, when you need to be there, and what you might see.

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How Different Spring Migrants Decide When to Head North
The Nest

How Different Spring Migrants Decide When to Head North

Will warmer weather bring the birds back early? It all depends on what type of migrators they are.

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Great Lakes Migratory Birds

Wood Thrush

Latin:  Hylocichla mustelina

Illustration for Wood Thrush

Scarlet Tanager

Latin:  Piranga olivacea

Illustration for Scarlet Tanager

Gray Catbird

Latin:  Dumetella carolinensis

Illustration for Gray Catbird

Common Yellowthroat

Latin:  Geothlypis trichas

Illustration for Common Yellowthroat

Canada Warbler

Latin:  Cardellina canadensis

Illustration for Canada Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga caerulescens

Illustration for Black-throated Blue Warbler

Northern Waterthrush

Latin:  Parkesia noveboracensis

Illustration for Northern Waterthrush

Swamp Sparrow

Latin:  Melospiza georgiana

Illustration for Swamp Sparrow

Ways You Can Help