Audubon Adventures
Orientation to the Bird Migration Explorer
The Bird Migration Explorer combines the most recent available migration data to visualize the journeys of 450+ migratory birds, how they connect us across the Western Hemisphere, and the widespread challenges they face throughout their journeys. It is available in both English and Spanish.
The Explorer is rich in information that can be accessed and represented in a variety of ways. It allows you and your students to explore bird migration by bird species, by location, and by conservation challenge.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Explorer’s Main Features
Audubon has created resources that provide a basic orientation to the Bird Migration Explorer, its features, and the kinds of information you and your students can use to learn about migratory birds:
- This introductory video provides an overview of what the Explorer is designed to do, the kinds of information it can provide, and why this information is important.
- This explainer video is a very useful introduction and click-by-click orientation to how the Explorer works.
- This Audubon Magazine article offers informative background information on the Explorer’s development and clear explanations of its features.
On the Explorer homepage, click the “Take a tour” button for a quick review of the Explorer’s main features.
In-depth information about the Explorer’s three maps starting with what they show, how to interpret them, and methods used to create them is provided here:
- Species Migration maps let you see the migration journeys of individual bird species.
- Species Connection maps let you choose any location across the Western Hemisphere and see where else its migratory birds travel throughout their annual journeys.
- Conservation Challenges maps show where and when migrating birds are exposed to certain human activities and environmental changes, which can help us better understand the challenges birds face and explore solutions that benefit birds and people.
Be sure to refer to “Helpful Tips for Using the Bird Migration Explorer” and FAQs at the end of this guide.
This background information will help you guide classroom investigations and discussions, design projects and investigations, and answer students’ questions about the science and technology behind the data provided by the Explorer.