09/30/2026
Last night, while we were sleeping, an estimated 129,500 birds flew across Ventura County as part of an annual phenomenon that takes place from August through November: fall migration.
With a keen eye, you may have spotted a bird that isn’t often seen in our area perched on a branch in your backyard. But for most of us, migration may go completely unnoticed. That’s because about 80% of migratory bird species in the U.S. migrate at night, often flying at altitudes far beyond what we can see from the ground.
Scientists estimate that as many as one billion birds may be migrating across the U.S. on any given night. And here in Ventura County, we’re entering the peak period of fall migration. Our local natural spaces, including VLT preserves, may serve as important stopping points for birds passing through, providing habitat where they can forage, rest, and seek shelter along their journey.
You can help support migratory birds throughout this incredible feat of nature. Close your shades at night to reduce skyglow, and dim or turn off nonessential outdoor lighting between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. These small actions can save energy, reduce the risk of collisions, and help protect habitat for migrating species.
Want to follow the migration yourself? Tools like Cornell Lab’s BirdCast provide live migration maps and local dashboards, while Audubon’s Bird Migration Explorer lets you track the journeys of individual species.
Check out dashboard.birdcast.org and explorer.audubon.org for more. 🪶🌌
