Look Up as Birds Are Starting Their Fall Migration Across Indiana

With many students in Indiana having gone back to school weeks ago and our first Spirit Halloween stores opening their doors for the season, it's safe to say that summer is pretty much over. Hey, we don't like it any more than you do!

And now, we've got yet another sign that the summer season is officially winding down:

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Birds Across Indiana Are Heading South in a Massive Fall Migration-- And They Need Your Help!

According to Meteorologist Ross Ellet, the great fall bird migration has begun, with an impressive 242 million estimated birds beginning their return flight south over the weekend. Among them, the beautiful Baltimore Oriole:

September is the peak month for the fall bird migration, so these are just the 'early birds.'...They were flying mostly due south at about 30 mph, around 2,000 feet above the ground...and there will likely be another push of birds late in the work week behind another cold front. -- Meteorologist Ross Ellet via Facebook

In recent years there's been much talk about how residents and homeowners can help migrating birds have a safer journey by doing one simple thing: turning off your outdoor lights. 

Because most of these birds make their journey at night, according to FOX 2 Detroit, they can easily become disoriented by light pollution. To reduce confusion and help prevent collisions with buildings, experts recommend that households turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

I'm especially disappointed to hear this news, as I really ramped up my birding this spring. During the four weeks I was home recovering from surgery, I got into the habit of identifying new birds on sight and learning their calls. I can't believe it's finally time for them to go already!