St Ives Migration – Sunday 22nd April 2012

Thank you to everyone who came to our Migration event at St Ives, Bingley, on Sunday 22nd April. We learnt loads about migration, and most importantly had loads of fun! The wet weather made us change our plans slightly at the last minute, but it didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm!

First we discussed why birds migrate and, with the help of a large map, found out about some of the journeys birds and other animals make each year. We talked about two bird species that spend winter in Africa and summer near Bradford: Chiffchaffs and Pied Flycatchers (we're hoping that Pied Flycatchers will nest in the boxes we made in January). We learned their calls, and used this to split into teams of Chiffchaffs and Pied Flycatchers!

We migrated across St Ives, looking for the birds’ food as we went. We heard a few Chiffchaffs who were singing in the rain; and with the help of our three Chaffinches (Charlie, Chester, and the quiet one Chesney!), we played some games to learn why birds flock.

The rain came down and some of the Airedale Otters finished the event splashing in the puddles!

More on Migration

There are lots of interesting sites about bird migration on the web. The RSPB have an interactive map showing the incredible journeys made by some animals on their migrations. The RSPB has lots more games on their website.

The RSPB also have a map showing the journeys made by the Ospreys born at RSPB Loch Garten in the Scottish Highlands each year. Click here for more info.

In 2011 the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) attached satellite-tracking devices to five Cuckoos from Norfolk to find out more about their journey to and from Africa. You can follow the cuckoos (called Clement, Martin, Lyster, Kasper, and Chris) on the BTO website.