Eileen Guthbertsonp age 12y of Philadephia, PA.

Why do birds migrate?

Most of our birds migrate with the seasons. They fly south in the fall and enjoy the winter months in a warmer climate. Come springs they turn around and fly back again to enjoy the summer with us. Lots of people have wondered why they don’t choose a warm year‑round climate and stay there. The migrations between summer and winter homes take so much time and traveling effort.

But notice their first order of business when they come back in the spring. They build a nest. lay eggs and bring up broods of babies.. This  then. is why they return. Like all good parents  they want the best possible conditions for bringing up their children.

Millions of birds may flock to a favorite winter home„ There may be crowding and just enough food to go around. This is not the best way to bring up a family.  So  come spring. these birds spread out and migrate back to us. They arrive in time for summers the long warm days and a plentiful supply of insects, buds, fruit and other bird food. How birds know all this is still a mystery but the reasons are most likely those four or five tiny chicklets that need be fed.