Weather and bird migration Norman Elkins

© British Birds 98 • May 2005 • 238-256 ABSTRACT Bird migration in and through Britain and Ireland shows great variation, both seasonally and annually. Much depends on atmospheric conditions, which can equally hinder and assist migration, both on a broad scale (the distribution, extent, intensity and movement of pressure patterns), and at a local level (temporal and spatial changes in wind, visibility, cloud and precipitation).All the parameters of bird migration, including timing, routes, speed and duration of migration, are affected, and modified, by a number of meteorological factors, probably the most influential being wind speed and direction.This paper reviews the influence that weather has on bird migration in Britain and Ireland, and discusses examples of the major types of migration. A number of unusual or exceptional migration events are discussed and illustrated with appropriate weather charts. Weather and bird migration