Millions of migratory birds soar over Kentucky each year. Here's what to know about them

Each spring and fall, the woods of Kentucky can serve as a rest area for millions of migratory birds heading north or south in search of more comfortable weather conditions.

Hundreds of species, from as far as South America, commonly stop in Kentucky to find food and rest their wings after traveling for miles along their aerial route. Michael Patton, an avian biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the Bluegrass State is like a "refueling station" for some birds, though many migratory species do choose to breed in the commonwealth.

"We're kind of part of the puzzle," Patton said. "Without Kentucky, if we were just a black hole on the map, a lot of these birds wouldn't make it. It would be like crossing the Gulf of Mexico again, where we lose a lot of individuals during migration."

While in Kentucky, birds will fill up on food, such as insects and fruits.

"They're just trying to pull in as many calories as possible, because their flight is calorically expensive," Patton said. "So they'll hang around in a patch that's full of food, and then they'll continue on their way up north. So they could stop over for a few days, or as short as a few hours."

Peak spring migration is in late April-early May, while fall migration peaks around mid-October. while many species of birds native to Kentucky and the Midwest make journeys of their own during the colder months, some birds from the north might remain during winter.

"You know every single niche is pretty much covered," Patton said about Kentucky's diverse bird population.

Louisville area birders, like the local Audubon Society vice president Mary Beth Nevulis, carve out time to stand outside with a pair of binoculars, patiently waiting to see warblers, woodpeckers, barred owls and other species at local parks, nature preserves and even at home.

"You don't have to drive far for a great experience," said Nevulis, who lives in Louisville's Crescent Hill neighborhood. "We are pretty fortunate here."

Patton said those who are interested in birding should consider investing in a pair of binoculars, but the most important step for improving skills is to just get outside.

"It's (about) getting familiar with the areas around you, and just starting to pick up on the birds around you," Patton said. "You know, you don't have to travel all the way across Kentucky to go chase something. Start in your backyard, or at your apartment complex, and just start getting familiar with the birds that catch your eye."

How do migratory birds know when to travel and at what times are they in flight?

Migration behaviors can depend on weather since birds can sense seasonal changes, like how humans can get headaches during barometric pressure swings, Patton said

"Sometimes they get caught up in storms and that's how we end up with all these vagrants, like how we had flamingos a few years ago," he said.

Since birds spend a great deal of time foraging for food and resting during the day, most species migrate at night, Patton said. Birds, however, aren't immune to the effects of artificial light.

"When you have large-scale lights in cities and even in small-scale neighborhoods, or just in homes, those lights can really disorient (birds)," he said. "They can cause window strikes, where we've had huge mortalities."

Birding clubs, like the Audubon Society chapter in Louisville, have implemented potential solutions to this issue. Residents can sign a pledge to participate in the Lights Out Louisville program, which calls for business and homeowners to cut down on artificial light usage at night, while also drawing shades, curtains and blinds after dark to help prevent bird strikes.

A Prothonotary warbler is spotted at Cherokee Park in Louisville during spring migration in April 2025.

The program, which first launched in 2024, typically coincides with migration periods in April, May, September and October. Those who participate are asked to conserve their light usage from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"Everybody has an opportunity to make a difference," Nevulis said. "If one home can save one bird from a strike, that is significant in the course of things."

Places to go birding in Louisville, elsewhere in Kentucky

Here are some places recommended by Nevulis:

• Louisville Nature Center
• Joe Creason Park
• Cherokee Park
• Chickasaw Park
• Seneca Park
• Shawnee Park
• Anchorage Trail
• Arthur K. Draut Park in St. Matthews
• Hays Kennedy Park and the nearby Garvin Brown Nature Preserve in Prospect
• Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum

A Downy woodpecker is spotted at the Cherokee Park Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary in March 2023.

How to support bird-related causes in Louisville

Pledges to support Lights Out Louisville can be signed on the Louisville Audubon Society's website. The forms also cover tips on how to support conservation efforts, which include:

• Turning off interior lights when no one is in a room.
• Drawing window coverings (blinds, shades and curtains) after dark.
• Turning off decorative outdoor lighting, or limiting lighting to the ground level.
• Using timers or motion sensors for essential outdoor lighting where possible.
• Adding coverings for outdoor lighting in order to focus light downward.
• Choosing warmer-toned bulbs of less than 3,000 Kelvin for outdoor lights.

In addition to filling out a pledge, Nevulis said participants can receive a yard or window sign as part of a donation of $10 or more to the Louisville Audubon Society.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at [email protected] or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Millions of migratory birds soar over Kentucky each year. Here's what to know about them