BirdCast: The Essential Bird Migration Forecast Tool

Have you heard of BirdCast? 

BirdCast is a project created by scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. It uses radar data, machine learning, and weather modeling to forecast nightly bird migration across the United States.

Each night, BirdCast predicts:

• How many birds will migrate
• Where they will migrate
• When migration will peak

Their easy-to-read maps show migration intensity on a national and local scale, helping communities take action to protect birds on the move.

Why Is BirdCast Important?

During migration seasons, millions of birds collide with human-built structures like glass windows and skyscrapers. By knowing when and where migration is strongest, individuals and organizations can:

• Turn off unnecessary lights at night ("Lights Out" campaigns)
• Install window protection to prevent bird strikes
• Plan birding activities around peak migration days

Protecting birds during migration is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to support wildlife conservation.

How to Use BirdCast Forecasts

BirdCast updates its nightly migration forecasts every day. Simply visit birdcast.info to:

• View migration maps for Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 predictions
• See real-time migration alerts
• Explore local migration dashboards for your state or city

You can also check the "Lights Out Alerts" to see if tonight is a high-risk night for migrating birds in your area.

BirdCast is a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University, and UMass Amherst. All rights reserved by the original creators. We encourage all visitors to support BirdCast and their important scientific work.