Every year, millions of birds migrate thousands of miles from Africa to Europe. This is a massive journey that happens twice a year, depending on time and amount of food.
However, new research from Durham University and the British Trust for Ornithology shows that the birds are struggling to reach their destination.
What happened?
A study published in Zenodo analyzed 40 years of bird data from 286 sites in Europe and found significant declines in what scientists call “migratory fuel load.”
These are the fat stores that birds need to travel through difficult areas such as the Mediterranean and the Sahara Desert.
Researchers examined 33 African-Palearctic migratory species and found that birds preparing for fall migration are now carrying less weight than in previous years.
However, spring migration does not see the same decline.
All of this suggests that changes in summer conditions may be a major factor in weight loss in these birds.
The study also found that northern European birds store energy earlier than usual, while southern birds store energy later.
The British Trust for Ornithology research team said these trends could make it harder for birds to complete long journeys and put pressure on their already declining populations.
Why is this trend important?
Migratory birds play a vital role in maintaining healthy and strong ecosystems.
Not only do they control local insect populations through their diet, they also help disperse seeds and protect crops from pests.
If their numbers begin to decline significantly, the impact will threaten major food systems, increase costs for farmers, and weaken the natural environment.
If birds continue to struggle to gather enough energy to migrate, many may not complete their journey.
Hot summer conditions are to blame for this, as they reduce the availability and quality of insects and fruits on which the birds rely to build fat reserves.
Increasing heat and drought can also dry out habitats, making it difficult for birds to rest.
What measures have we taken to combat bird migration?
Conservation groups across Europe are working to protect migration routes, restore habitats and protect common stopovers.
As for working together to combat rising global temperatures, individual efforts can be made every day.
By cutting your reliance on fossil fuel energy and switching to electricity or solar alternatives, you can help reduce the amount of heat-trapping pollution entering the atmosphere.
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