Golden-winged Warblers can be found in Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Great Lakes & Migratory Birds

Golden-winged Warbler. Photo: Arne Stinnissen/Audubon Photography Awards
Golden-winged Warbler. Photo: Arne Stinnissen/Audubon Photography Awards

Ever wonder about Migratory Birds in the Great Lakes Region?

You came to the right place. Learn how birding can be great for social distancing and which birding checklists you can find online. Having trouble identifying warblers? Us too! Find out all the tips and tricks to master Bird ID on the newly updated Audubon App. Anything else? You bet. Explore Important Bird Areas across the region and nationally, and view abundance models of migratory birds through eBird and The Cornell Lab of Ornithlogy's Abundance Animations!

Fall Migration in the Great Lakes

Fall Migration Hot Spots
Migratory Stopover Habitat

Fall Migration Hot Spots

With autumn on the horizon, you can soon witness—up close and in person—billions of wings on the go in peak season. Here are six of my favorite lookouts.

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Three Ways You Can Help Migrating Birds This Fall
Migratory Stopover Habitat

Three Ways You Can Help Migrating Birds This Fall

With autumn on the horizon, you can soon witness—up close and in person—billions of wings on the go in peak season. Here are six of my favorite lookouts.

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To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work
Migratory Stopover Habitat

To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work

A manicured lawn might look nice, but messy is better for birds and bugs.

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Birding

Birding Is the Perfect Activity While Practicing Social Distancing

Taking care of your physical, emotional and mental health is key during these challenging times. Handled responsibly, birding and wildlife observation from your window, neighborhood walk or open green spaces might be just the wellness lift you need.

Brighten Your Day by Birding

Forest Preserves of Cook County Birding Checklist
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Forest Preserves of Cook County Birding Checklist

"Whether you are an avid birder or just starting out, track all of your bird sightings by downloading the printable Forest Preserves of Cook County Birding Checklist!"

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Guide to Birds of Lake County, Illinois
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Guide to Birds of Lake County, Illinois

"Learn the best times and places to see different bird groups in Lake County, Illinois!"

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Common Birds of Indiana Checklist
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Common Birds of Indiana Checklist

"Among the varied habitats of Indiana State Parks, ranging from woodlands to prairie to wetlands and lakes, you can discover a rich diversity of bird life."

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Audubon Bird Guide App

Identify Birds with The Audubon Bird Guide App

The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Built for all experience levels, it will help you identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds you’ve seen, and get outside to find new birds near you.

How To Use Bird ID on the Audubon App

Discover Migratory Birds Next Spring

Migratory Stopover Habitat
Migratory Stopover Habitat

Migratory Stopover Habitat

A key component of the Great Lakes initiative is the improvement of stopover habitat for migratory birds.

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Planting for Chicago-area Migratory Birds
Birds

Planting for Migratory Birds

Any landscape - formal, informal, large or small - can attract rare and beautiful migrants if a few simple principles are followed

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Birdist Rule #70: Get Prepared for Spring Migration
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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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Explore IBAs Near You

Visit Areas Vital to Birds and Biodiversity

Illinois IBA Information
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Illinois IBA Information

Initiated in the fall of 2000, the Important Bird Areas Program in Illinois currently has 91 recognized IBAs.

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Michigan IBA Information
Important Bird Areas

Michigan IBA Information

There are over 100 Important Birds Areas identified in Michigan. Find out more about Michigan IBAs.

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Indiana IBA Information
Important Bird Areas

Indiana IBA Information

Nominating and establishing IBAs in Indiana.

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Grasslands Migratory Spotlight: Henslow's Sparrow

Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii)

"In weedy eastern fields in summer, this little sparrow climbs to the top of a weed stalk, throws its head back, and delivers one of the least impressive of all bird songs, a short tsilick. When not singing it becomes extremely hard to observe, hiding in dense grass. If flushed, it flies away low for a short distance before dropping into the weeds. Despite its lack of vocal prowess, Henslow's Sparrow is a beautifully marked bird if seen well." Learn how Audubon Great Lakes is prioritizing grassland conservation and stewardship for birds and communities.

 

Henslow's Sparrow eBird Abundance Animation

 

Coastal Wetlands Migratory Spotlight: Sora 

Sora (Porzana carolina)

"The Sora makes its presence known with plaintive whistles and whinnies rising from the marshes all across North America. Despite its abundance, it is not often seen: As with other rails, it spends most of its time hidden in dense marshy growth or wet meadows. Although Soras might seem like weak fliers when seen fluttering over the marsh, they regularly migrate long distances, many going to South America for the winter." Learn ways Audubon Great Lakes is improving coastal climate resiliency, habitat, water quality for birds and people.

Guidance on Climate Action

Five Climate-Threatened Birds and How You Can Help Them
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Five Climate-Threatened Birds and How You Can Help Them

And yet there is also hope in the report. By acting now, we can potentially help 290 bird species by keeping global temperatures below 1.5 degrees of warming.

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A Field Guide to the Future of North American Birds
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A Field Guide to the Future of North American Birds

Audubon’s new climate report warns of massive avian loss if we don’t change course and stabilize global carbon emissions.

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Climate Action Guide
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Climate Action Guide

Feeling like you can’t make a difference? That couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s where to begin and how to ­amplify your efforts to make lasting change in the world.

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Ways You Can Help