Space weather refers to the fluctuations in the environment between Earth and the Sun, driven by factors such as solar wind and the ionosphere, an electrified layer of the atmosphere affected by solar radiation. While birds rely on Earth’s magnetic field for navigation, it was uncertain whether space weather could impact their flight patterns. A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that it can.
The study’s authors found that strong geomagnetic disturbances, often caused by events like solar flares, can reduce the number of migrating birds. They analyzed an extensive dataset on bird migration, using information from 37 NEXRAD Doppler weather radar stations spanning 23 years. This data was then compared with details about geomagnetic disturbances in those regions.
The results revealed a significant drop in the number of migrating birds in the Great Plains area during periods of severe space weather, ranging from 9% to 17%. Moreover, instances of migratory bird vagrancy, where birds become disoriented during migration, were more frequent. Birds were also less likely to fly against the wind, especially during overcast conditions and high geomagnetic disturbances, due to a combination of obscured celestial cues and magnetic interference.
This study sheds light on how space weather can disrupt the migratory patterns of birds and suggests that these disturbances impact their navigation, particularly during autumn and overcast conditions.
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