Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: Migratory Birds and the Gulf of America. 

Most migratory birds that breed in North America travel across the Gulf annually, in the Spring and Fall.  

About 400 species migrate between temperate breeding grounds in the north and wintering grounds farther south.  

During their migration, birds congregate in different coastal habitats such as barrier islands, beaches, and marshes. These are critical resting and feeding areas for migratory birds that contain vital food resources that provide energy for their lengthy migration. Therefore, it is extremely important that people do not disturb them especially when they are resting at the beach or near the shoreline, as frequent disturbance can lead to death.  

To learn more about Florida’s coastal birds, check out the Florida Master Naturalist Programs Coastal Systems course at masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu. 

For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.