What are flyways?

In North America there are four distinct flyways; the Atlantic, the Mississippi, the Central and the Pacific. Northwest Indiana falls within the Mississippi flyway. In our particular area bird migration is affected by Lake Michigan. Many birds follow the shorelines as they navigate seasonally up and down the lake. 

Many of them rest and feed in woods and fields at the south end of the lakeshore before proceeding north or south depending on the season. The lake itself attracts many species of waterfowl, which tend to concentrate at the southern most tip of the lake. Many shorebirds forage on the beach to fuel their long journey.

Show All Answers

1. Why do birds migrate?
2. What are flyways?
3. How did migration originate?