Every spring, millions of migratory birds travel from wintering to breeding grounds, relying on stopover sites to rest, refuel, and prepare for the next leg of their voyage. These stopover habitats range from coastal wetlands and forested corridors to inland grasslands and riverine oases. Protecting these places is essential since research shows that their quality and availability can impact birds’ energy reserves, migration timing, and even reproductive outcomes. In North and Central America, for example, a 2025 study identified key “stopover hotspots” (Florida peninsula, Central America, and the Puget Sound region) as areas where migratory birds concentrate in high densities during spring stopovers.
Spring migration is not only about the places birds stop but also how long they stay and what conditions they encounter. Research on Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) found that longer stopovers in the Hudson Bay lowlands—where birds refuel before crossing to Arctic breeding grounds—were associated with higher breeding success, even though extended stops delayed arrival. The study also revealed that temperatures at these sites influenced migration timing, suggesting that they impact arrival and reproductive outcomes at breeding grounds.
Protecting a network of strategically placed stopover habitats ensures that migratory birds can complete their long journeys and sustain healthy populations during spring migration.
They also offer great spring migration viewing opportunities, so start planning today.