Animal migrations are nothing short of extraordinary phenomena. These epic journeys, traversed by countless creatures each year, play a critical role in the health of our ecosystems. From birds like hoopoes soaring across continents to fish battling upstream currents, these migrations are a testament to nature’s remarkable resilience and adaptability. Let’s explore what makes these journeys truly epic.
Atlas of Amazing Migrations is an illustrated celebration of the mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects and even plants that battle through Earth’s toughest conditions to make extreme journeys.
With wit and charm (and signature watercolours), follow flocks of arctic terns on their 40,000 km journey between the North and South Pole, join monarch butterflies on their pilgrimage from Canada to Mexico, and learn how wildebeest, humpback whales, salmon and dragonflies migrate. Using the sun (or earth’s) magnetic field.
If you’ve ever been told off for eating with your mouth open, you’re in good company with the basking shark. These massive sharks can be found all over the world in arctic and temperate waters, and migrate closer to the shore during summer where they ‘bask’ (swimming slowly with their large mouths open).
Swimming along in what looks like a suspended yawn is filter feeding to capture plankton. Basking sharks may be the second largest fish in the world, but boy do they keep to themselves.
The swift parrot is a bit of a showstopper, with a loud personality and equally loud plumage of felt-tip pen shades. This parrot is a zippy flyer, and can cover as much as 2000km a year. They also do a fantastic job of spreading pollen, so it’s a true shame that an overlogging of blue gum has led to declines in this bird – there are now as few as 1000 swifties left in the wild.
Matt Sewell is a talented watercolour artist and ornithologist who writes some of England’s best-selling books about birds and other creatures. His designs are even on postage stamps on the Isle of Man.
Beautiful Hoopoes (our summer visiting birds!)
Hoopoes are beautiful birds with pink-brown bodies and crests, black bills and black/white wings. Although it’s not native to England, around 100 birds often turn up here during their migration from Africa to Europe, usually found in southern England. They are a Schedule 1 species, meaning they are highly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Europe becomes a bustling hub for these extraordinary birds from March to June. They seek out open woodlands, orchards, and meadows—places where they can find insects aplenty for their growing families. Their ideal breeding grounds often include old buildings and tree cavities, providing shelter and a safe environment for raising their chicks.
During the chill of winter, Hoopoes retreat to the balmier climates of Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. These regions offer the mild temperatures and abundant food sources Hoopoes need. Whether in dry savannas or scattered woodlands, they find the perfect environment for rest and recovery away from the freezing European winters.
Physical Characteristics and Behaviour
One cannot miss the Hoopoe’s dramatic crest—a crown of feathers that the bird can fan out at will. This crest, coupled with its striking black-and-white striped wings and warm orange body, gives the Hoopoe a distinctive look. This unique plumage isn’t merely for show; it plays a role in communication and courtship dances.
When it comes to dining, Hoopoes are skilled hunters. They probe the ground with their long, curved beaks, feasting on insects, larvae, and small reptiles. This diet is crucial during the spring when they’re feeding hungry nestlings, establishing themselves as effective pest controllers.
Conservation Status and Challenges
Urban sprawl and intensive agriculture strip the land of the open spaces the Hoopoes need for breeding. Pesticides reduce insect populations, directly affecting their food supply. These changes in their environment lead to diminished populations.
Conservationists are rallying to protect the habitats crucial to Hoopoes. Initiatives include promoting sustainable agriculture practices and creating protected areas to preserve natural breeding sites. Awareness campaigns highlight the importance of these efforts to secure a future where Hoopoes continue to thrive.
What is Animal Migration?
Migration is sparked by a blend of biological and environmental cues. Changes in daylight, temperature fluctuations, and the availability of food trigger these movements. Many animals possess an innate ability to navigate vast distances, often relying on Earth’s magnetic fields and celestial cues.
Numerous species undertake these challenging journeys. Birds, like the Arctic tern, traverse entire hemispheres, while mammals such as caribou make vast treks across tundras. Marine life, from whales to sea turtles, navigate oceans to reach breeding grounds. Each species has its own incredible story of migration.
Epic Migrations Around the World
In East Africa’s Serengeti, over a million wildebeests embark on a perilous journey. Their route, stretching across Tanzania and Kenya, is fraught with danger—from predators to treacherous river crossings. This migration not only sustains the wildebeests but also supports a web of predators and scavengers, making it a crucial event in the savannah ecosystem.
The monarch butterfly’s journey from North America to Mexico is a marvel. These delicate creatures cover over 4,000 kilometres, with multiple generations partaking in the voyage. Their survival hinges on instinct and an inherited genetic map, guiding them to specific forests in central Mexico where they overwinter.
Salmon are famed for their upstream migration. Born in freshwater rivers, they travel to the ocean, growing and maturing. When it’s time to spawn, they return to their birthplace, facing obstacles like rapids and predators. This journey is vital for the continuation of their species and provides nutrients essential for river ecosystems.
The Challenges of Migration
With shifting climates, traditional migratory patterns are being disrupted. Warmer temperatures alter food availability, breeding times, and migration schedules, causing confusion and potential population declines.
Urbanisation and agriculture pose significant threats to migratory paths. Roads, fences, and buildings obstruct traditional routes, while pollution and pesticides harm vital habitats, diminishing food sources along the way.
Creating protected areas and wildlife reserves is a vital strategy. These safe havens ensure animals have the space and resources to complete their migrations, safeguarding vital breeding and feeding grounds from human encroachment.
Local communities play a pivotal role in conserving migratory routes. Educational programmes and sustainable practices help foster a sense of ownership and stewardship, encouraging communities to protect and maintain these natural corridors.
Surprising Ways That Birds Survive Winter
The Courage of Birds looks at how countless birds (from our own backyards to the rim of the Arctic ice) have adapted to meet the challenges of the winter season. This book is their remarkable story, by an acclaimed writer, with illustrations from a renowned artist and birdwatcher.
Despite the seasonal life-sapping cold, birds have evolved to meet winter head on, driven by the imperative to make it to spring, and pass down their genes to the next generation. The drama of winter and the resilience and adaptability of birds in the harshest months, is both fascinating and astonishing.
In this book, the author chronicles the behaviour of birds through winter months, using feathers to protect against the cold, and unpacks unique migration patterns and survival techniques of individual species. He also addresses how climate change affects avian longevity, and recounts personal anecdotes from a naturalist’s eye.
Filled with moving observations on the natural world, this book is from the backyard observer to the serious birder who tracks migration patterns. Or anyone who wonders how birds appear in the garden, when temperatures being to fall.
About the Author
Peter Dunne is a writer and former Director of Natural History Information for New Jersey Audubon Society and Cape May Bird Observatory.