🍁 Fall in Rock County isn’t just about pumpkins and crisp leaves — it’s peak migration time! 🍂

Did you know Janesville is right along the Mississippi Flyway — one of the busiest bird highways in North America? 🚦🐦

Each fall, millions of birds pass right over Rock County on their journey south.

The Mississippi Flyway is a major avian migratory corridor used by about half of North America's bird species for their annual journeys between breeding grounds in the north and overwintering areas in Central and South America.

This aerial "superhighway" follows the Mississippi River and its basin, offering a crucial visual guide and a vital chain of habitats for birds to rest and refuel during their long travels. It is a designated administrative route for migratory bird management, supporting a diverse array of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds, including bald eagles, mallards, and the endangered whooping crane.

 

               

 

Migration is Hard Work!! 

Birds can fly hundreds of miles in a single night. ✈️ That’s why high-energy foods are so important this season.

✅ Suet & Bark Butter® = energy-packed fuel
✅ Sunflower chips = easy to digest
✅ Nectar = keeps hummingbirds fueled until the last ones leave Wisconsin

We are trying to Promote High Energy Foods this Month to help our feathery friends with their long Journey. Have questions of what is best to provide? No problem- We can Help!! 

 

Keep your eyes open, Janesville! 👀 These popular birds are passing through Rock County right now: 

🟡 Yellow-rumped Warbler
🧡 Baltimore Oriole (last chance!)
🤎 Swainson’s Thrush
❤️ Ruby-throated Hummingbird (just before they leave!)
✨ Broad-winged Hawks overhead

For More information on Popular birds when they are leaving and coming to WI check out our other Migration Page: Migrating Birds

Migration season means you never know who will show up in your backyard! 🐦

 

Myth: Feeding birds in fall will stop them from migrating.
Truth: Birds migrate based on daylight, not food availability. 🌞

Your feeders don’t hold them back — they actually help them refuel for their long journey south.

Want to turn your backyard into a migration pit stop? 🏡🐦 Here’s how:
✔️ Offer multiple feeder types (hummingbird, seed, suet)
✔️ Keep fresh water available — bird baths are critical during migration
✔️ Plant or preserve native trees & shrubs for shelter

At Wild Birds Unlimited Janesville, we’ll help you design a backyard setup that supports birds and gives you incredible views all fall long!

 

Migration comes with risks. 🪟 Sadly, window collisions are one of the biggest dangers birds face.

✅ Add Window Alerts to help prevent accidents.
✅ Keep feeders close to windows to reduce crash speeds.

We carry simple, effective solutions right here in Janesville to keep migrating birds safe.