Now that we are in the first week of fall, here is something you might want to order before you drop off to sleep tonight.

       While you are asleep, thousands of migratory songbirds are passing over Georgia.  These long-distant migrants are flying toward their winter homes far to the south of the Peach State.

Many of them will fly 165 miles or more before dropping from the skies tomorrow morning at a stopover area. These are special places where they can rest, drink and refuel.

The birds fly under the cover of darkness because the air is cool and they can avoid predators.  One of the reasons they are able to fly across night skies is because they can navigate using star patterns. In addition, special proteins located in their bills and eyes allow them to sense the Earth’s magnetic fields.

For more information regarding how you can assist these migrants, read: Out My Backdoor: Make Your Yard a Pit Stop for Southbound Migrants | Department Of Natural Resources Division