Why Birdwatchers Are Watching Arizona’s Skies This October

Fall is finally tiptoeing into Arizona, and the cooler weather has everyone on the move again. It's not just humans walking their dogs; wildlife seems to be waking up, too.

I’ve been noticing more birds in the sky lately, and it’s not my imagination. There really are more winged creatures on the move right now. October is one of the busiest times of year for bird migration, especially in Arizona.

a flock of birds flying through a cloudy sky

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, sandhill cranes start to arrive in Arizona in the fall and can be seen through winter before heading north again in spring.

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closeup photo of bird beside purple petal flowers

Millions Of Birds Are On The Move

The number of birds that live in Arizona, or pass through for part of the year, is impressive. The Cornell BirdCast Migration Dashboard, which tracks bird migration using weather radar data, estimated that more than 2.3 million birds crossed Arizona during the night of October 7th.

The dashboard also reported that millions of birds were in flight during peak migration activity. You can download the free Merlin App to help scientists track these birds' movements and learn more about the critters living in your own backyard.

READ ALSO: Arizona Boasts More Hummingbirds than Anywhere in the World!

brown and black bird on green plant

Many of these travelers head south for the winter, using Arizona’s deserts, grasslands, wetlands, and mountain ranges as a pass-through to other places. Fall migration typically peaks from September through October.

READ MORE: How Arizona Families Can Help the Great Backyard Bird Count

Great Time To Watch Wildlife

If you’re a Cochise County bird lover, this season is especially exciting. Southeastern Arizona is already known as one of the country's premier birding destinations, and migration brings even more species through the region.

Four cranes flying in a cloudy sky

The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages residents to take advantage of wildlife viewing opportunities statewide. The agency also offers live wildlife cameras where you can take a peek at these critters. You can even check out the sandhill crane camera in Willcox. It gets really active as the birds return to Arizona for the winter.

a bird is perched on a tree branch

Keep An Eye On The Sky

You don’t have to be an experienced birder to enjoy the simple fun of spotting backyard wildlife. Fall is one of the best times of year to look up and see what’s flying in the sky near you!