Spring Migration

Some birds’ spring migration takes place as early as February or March. Project WILD Aquatic’s activity “Migration Headache” takes a look at the obstacles birds face while making their journey. As an extension, have students set up a bird feeder outside a classroom window. Record the types of birds that visit the feeder. Note new arrivals, and dates they are first observed at the feeder.

For a detailed list of early arrivals and late departure dates for migrating Iowa birds, visit the Iowa Ornithologists' Union website.

Book List
PreK-2
Allen, K. 2006. Why Do Birds Fly South in the Winter?: A Book About Migration. Capstone Press.
Gans, R. 1996. How Do Birds Find their Way? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard(Sharing Nature With Children Book). Dawn Publications.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Ray, M. 2004. Welcome Brown Bird. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Williams, J. 1990. Life Cycle of a Swallow. Scholastic Library Publishing.

Grades 3-5
Ahlstrom, M.E. and H. Schroeder. 1984. Canada Goose. Silver Burdett Press.
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature’s Magnificent Flying Machines. Charles Bridge Publishing.
Goodall, J. & Reichstein, A. 2002. Eagle and the Wren: A Fable. North South Books.
Lerner, C. 2001. On the Wing: American Birds in Migration. HarperCollins.
Owens, M. 1993. Counting Cranes. Little Brown.
Penny, M. 1987. Animal Migration. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Ryder, J. 1994. Catching the Wind (A Just for a Day Book). Mulberry Books.
Spinelli, E. 2000. Song for the Whooping Crane. Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl (Animal Lives series). Kingfisher.

Grades 6-8
Arnold, C. 1997. Hawk Highway in the Sky: Watching Raptor Migration. Gulliver Green.
Bishop, N. 2007. The Secrets of Animal Flight. Houghton Mifflin.
Blassingame, W. 1982. Wonders of Egrets, Bitterns, and Herons. Penguin Group (USA).
Cherry, L. 1997. Flute’s Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Owens, M. 1993. Counting Cranes. Little Brown.
Ryder, J. 1994. Catching the Wind (A Just for a Day Book). Mulberry Books.
Salmansohn, P. & Kress, S. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.
Schaefer, L. 2004. Arrowhawk. Henry Holt and Co.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl (Animal Lives series). Kingfisher.

Grades 9-12
Arnold, C. 1997. Hawk Highway in the Sky: Watching Raptor Migration. Gulliver Green.
Bishop, N. 2007. The Secrets of Animal Flight. Houghton Mifflin.
Kiesler, K. 2002. Wings on the Wind: Bird Poems. Clarion Books.
Salmansohn, P. & Kress, S. 2005. Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World. Tilbury House.