Bobolink. This is because its often polluted by the runoff from salts, fertilizer and other chemicals used on highways, yards and farmland. Stop the Destruction of Globally Important Wetland. Much of the refuge is, understandably, closed to avoid disturbance to the cranes. Retaining or restoring the health of stream With their graceful flight patterns, the white pelican migration is one of the most anticipated events for birders. Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available. It seems almost unimaginable, yet it has been recorded as happening multiple times. Mississippi River Bird Cam | Explore.org livecams Films Looks like we're having trouble loading the page It seems there was an issue trying to load the page. A few ideas: Sign up today for the latest bird feeding tips and resources. Great Kiskadee 6. 3:05:51 Wildlife. Visit your local Audubon center, join a chapter, or help save birds with your state program. Fish and Wildlife Service photo. The Mississippi River drains an area of about 3.2 million square kilometers (1.2 million square miles), including all or parts of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, about 40% of . The region is also home to black bears. Ducks nest in the summer months: wood ducks and hooded mergansers in the bottomland forest; blue-winged teal in marshy areas, and mallards in grasslands or tall plants along the islands in the river. The water you provide is often much cleaner than what they can find in nature, especially after a long winter. Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. Birds are on the move above the Mississippi River! Dabbling ducks, who prefer shallower waters, arrive first to the backwaters. It is used by about 40% of the migratory birds that spend the spring and summer in the U.S. Stopping by a boat landing and scanning the tree tops, or taking a walk on a trail through the floodplain forest can be great places to view spring warblers. Gull, Herring 111 E. Kellogg Blvd., Suite 105 Dedicated to one of the rarest bird subspecies in the world, this refuge was established to protect the Mississippi Sandhill Crane, a nonmigratory form that nests in the pine savannah along the Gulf Coast. The St. Paul Audubon Society has kept records since 1972 of the species seen on its annual May (typically the the 2nd or 3rd weekend) fieldtrip to the area (? The observation deck at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota is a great place to view eagles in the wild as they soar above the Mississippi. When visiting the area, be sure to stop at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha where wild bald eagles can usually be spotted through two-story floor-to-ceiling windows. The U.S. Our camera operators noted that she seemed restless at around 4:03 PM. Ask staff members about other areas. Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact Us. Wood Thrush Published December 23, 2022. Whether you're searching for songbirds, water birds, shorebirds or raptors, here are some recommendations for when and where to look for them! Two nature trails, one near the visitor center and another seven miles southwest in Ocean Springs, offer good birding. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the path of the Mississippi Flyway, a migratory route used by 35 percent of North American birds. Some songbirds, like ruby-crowned kinglets, chestnut-sided warblers, black-and-white warblers, and Cape May warblers, are only here for a a short time, while others, like blue-gray gnatcatchers, prothonotary warblers, American redstarts, warbling vireos, scarlet tanagers, and great crested flycatchers nest here in spring into summer. 2022 Woodstream Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. August is also the peak period for migrant shorebirds; look for them resting and feeding in impoundments managed for their needs. introduced purple loosestrife is responsible for the degradation of many prime wetland habitats; biological The site is easily accessed by U.S. Highway 61 as well as the Mississippi River for the entire length of the area. The picture shows a Worm Eating Warbler, one such neo-tropical visitor. The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Mississippi, Missouri, and Lower Ohio Rivers in the United States across the western Great Lakes to the Mackenzie River and Hudson Bay in Canada. The Pacific Flyway follows the west coast and overflies major parts of . Local birders often drive the 8.5 miles of Beach Boulevard that runs along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline from the Highway 90 bridge in Bay St. Louis to its end at Bayou Caddy. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois, and protects more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. Earlier this week, Reuters writer Karl Plume reported that, "Commercial barge traffic on southern stretches of the Mississippi River was at a standstill on Tuesday as low water levels halted shipments of grain, fertilizer and other commodities on the critical waterway, shipping sources said. The Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail helps guide visitors to destinations in six southern counties. On the south (west) this IBA runs along Hwy 61 out of Red Wing to Wacouta, and then jogs south to include the Perched Valley WMA and Frontenac State Park. Stay up to date on the latest Great River Road events, contests and deals. The results may be printed, exported, or downloaded as a spreadsheet for greater analysis. Interior Rivers + Trout Streams. This area is one of the most notable and significant birding areas in the State of Minnesota. Among the most notable fall concentrations are those of Canvasbacks, representing up to 50% of the continental population, and Tundra Swans with an estimated 20% of the eastern North American population. Migratory flyways. The sandy beaches and barrier islands of Gulf Islands National Seashore allow observations of shorebirds and seabirds, including the Magnificant Frigatebird and Northern Gannet. Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Tundra swans begin to arrive from the arctic around late October/early November, with the peak of migration typically being the second or third weekend in November. The refuge The seven flyways are located within the four larger geographical areas. The US Geologic Survey has published a number of 2,300 miles, the EPA says it is 2,320 miles long, and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area suggests the river's length is 2,350 miles. A River of Birds From the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico More than 325 bird species make the round-trip each year along the Mississippi Flyway, from their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and in Central and South America. Prothonotary Warbler . After stopping at the visitor center to see exhibits and learn about ranger-led programs, walk the two-mile trail, which passes through coastal forest and reaches two bayous. A stopover for birds migrating south In North America billions of birds fly south from the north in search of warmer weather to nest and thrive. Visit your local Audubon center, join a chapter, or help save birds with your state program. Many birds migrate seasonally, and hummingbirds are no exception. Falcon, Peregrine Introduced zebra mussels threaten native mussels, clams and snails, while They would much rather chow down on some easy-to-find sunflower seeds than spend hours rooting around a muddy field for a few beaks of seed. Pick up a copy of the free guide Selected Birds of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Vicinity to enhance your birding. Stop the Destruction of Globally Important Wetland. Brownsville Overlook near Brownsville, Minnesota Robin, American, Sandpiper, Spotted Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. 651-293-0200 What are the Most Common Backyard Birds in Mississippi? Visitors may park at a small gravel parking lot, then cross over a set of railroad tracks to a dike that spans the Mississippi River. Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions. Grab a pair of binoculars, because you won't believe the variety of fowl that nests along the Mississippi. Cloud, Minn., Map from Little Falls to Anoka (River Mile 970 to 870), Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., Map (River Mile 870 to 823), Red Wing, Minn., Map from Cottage Grove to Kellogg (River Mile 823 to 755), La Crosse, Wis., Map from Kellog, Minn., to New Albin, Iowa (River Mile 755 to 674), Prairie du Chien, Wis., Map from New Albin, Iowa, to Sageville, Iowa (River Mile 674 to 586), Dubuque, Iowa, Map from Sageville, Iowa, to Clinton, Iowa (River Mile 586 to 507), Burlington, Iowa, Map from New Boston, Ill., to Keokuk, Iowa (River Mile 437 to 361), Top 5 birds to see on the Great River Road, Birdwatching hotspots on the Great River Road. It has been estimated that up to 40% of the nations waterfowl and shorebirds use the river valley during spring and fall migration. Daily counts of over 100 species are recorded each May by birders who come to this area to view the spring migration of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers and many other species of birds. 866-763-8310 | info@experiencemississippiriver.com. Hundreds of great egrets, blue herons, and double-crested cormorants build busy-looking twig-filled nests in rookeries on the islands. Be sure to stay for the daily demonstrations where you can meet bald and golden eagles face to face. The Mississippi River borders Iowa for more than 300 miles, entering the state between swift bluffs that rise four to six hundred feet above the river level. Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards. Barn Bluff is another beautiful spot to see eagles, located in Red Wing, Minnesota. Stop the Destruction of Globally Important Wetland. Common Ground-Dove 8. Swallow, Barn There are also many parks and museums of interest to bird lovers on the route. Tags: Arkansas, birding, fall, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, MRPC Office: PO BOX 7395 | Madison, WI 53707-7395 Michael Janke/Flickr The Mississippi River Valley provides food, habitat and protection for millions of birds as they make this epic twice-yearly journey. Hwy 61 is the boundary through Lake City then County Roads 4 and 10 to Reads Landing. We protect birds and the places they need. We opted to be more inclusive in which states reside in which flyway. Trout Stream Map-Mississippi River. It is accessible by U.S. Hwy 61 which runs along its length. Unusual species seen in the area include Pomerine Jaeger in Nov. 1996, and a White-winged Scoter in 2006. Other species of concern include the Bald Eagle, Cerulean Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush. Located along the Mississippi Flyway, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is one of the best places around to see residential and migratory birds throughout the seasons! This list includes 81 Species of Greatest Conservation Need from Minnesota? Lower than normal river levels have made the shipwreck accessible by land. At 4:37 PM, she experienced contractions, although she remained laying down and the contractions were not . As the name suggests, it follows the 2,530-mile Mississippi River. And during the summer, it is one of the most important nesting areas in North America for a number of bird species. Much of Canada is also included in the flyway. Horned Grebe 5. Like many national wildlife refuges, Yazoo was founded to preserve waterfowl populations, and in winter it can host 50,000 geese (Snow is most common) and 100,000 ducks. ?Villa Maria Warbler Weekend??). Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. 1. Up to 50% of the world? We protect birds and the places they need. These sleek, pearly gray raptors often hunt together and nest colonially in stands of trees, from windbreaks on southern prairies to old-growth bottomlands in the Southeast (and even on city parks and golf courses). 1). Diving ducks such as Redheads, Buffleheads, and Ruddy Ducks gather in open water, while American Wigeon, Gadwall, teal and other puddle ducks are found in the shallow backwaters. If the birding happens to be slow at Yazoo, it has a healthy population of American alligator to enjoy. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. The lakes are home to thousands of waterfowl from fall through spring. The best places to view tundra swans are usually: Weaver Bottoms near Weaver, Minnesota The sandy beach can have wading birds, shorebirds, gulls, and terns, and winter can bring sightings of scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, and Northern Gannet. Along with the year round residents and songbirds, they constitute the bulk of the state's official bird checklist. The Mississippi Flyway is in yellow The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that typically follows the Mississippi, Missouri, and also Lower Ohio Rivers in the USA throughout the western Great Lakes to the Mackenzie River and also Hudson Bay in Canada. New analysis casts doubts. Stay up to date on the latest Great River Road events, contests and deals. Agriculture, both row crops and pastures, takes place in former savanna and prairie areas and is the most prominent land use in this subsection. Our job is to fly above the Mississippi River at a about 120 feet going about 100 mph and count and ID ducks. Listen for the chattering twitter of chimney swifts and common nighthawks in evening hours by the river. Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent. Use this simple bird key to help identify birds in your backyard or on your visits to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. But with low flows during drought, the Gulf of Mexico starts to push saltwater up the Mississippi River. The highest concentration of migrating Common Mergansers in the workd occurs on Lake Pepin during the month of November. This includes 29 species of shorebirds and 33 species of warblers (10 breeding). Mallards, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, and northern pintail can be seen in large groups in at overlooks along the river backwaters in mid-late September through late-October/early November. The provinces and territories these birds head toward include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory. Birds navigate along more or less regular routes when they migrate. It may be best known, though, for the masses of wading birds that flock here in late summer, including large numbers of Wood Storks. The letters pages of . This is a very popular spot and is less crowded during weekdays. Crow, American Stay up to date on the latest Great River Road events, contests and deals. Red-shouldered Hawks nest in the refuge and up to 24 pairs have been recorded in one year. MN ?V 1d The Mississippi River is one of the most important Bald Eagle wintering areas in North America. Alligators are usually easily seen except in winter. The park is the only place in Mississippi where migrating raptors can be found in concentration. With many hardwood forest trees losing their leaves in the fall, winter is great time to look for woodpeckers and other hardy residential birds in the forests and marshes. It extends 261 miles along the Mississippi River from the Chippewa River in Wisconsin to nearly Rock Island, Illinois (Fig. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. While the number of wintering eagles in Minnesota is not as high as portions of the river further south, the locks and dam system and wooded cliffs do provided excellent winter Bald Eagle habitat. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. More than 325 bird species make the round-trip each year along the Mississippi Flyway, from their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to their wintering grounds along the Gulf of Mexico and in Central and South America. It also branches off into the Great Lakes and the Ohio River Valley. Whip-poor-will With an estimated 3.7 million annual visitors, it is the most heavily visited Refuge in the System. Birds that nest on the reserve include Mottled Duck, Northern Bobwhite, Least Bittern, Tricolored Heron, Osprey, Clapper Rail, Black-necked Stilt, Wilsons Plover, Least Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Seaside Sparrow, and Orchard Oriole. Latin: Major furbearers along the Mississippi River include muskrat, mink, beaver, otter, raccoon, skunk, weasel and fox. For the average backyard bird-lover, that can mean a surge of new visitors to feeders. Order a FREE Great River Road 10-state map, Top 5 birds to see on the Great River Road, Birdwatching hotspots on the Great River Road. Summer Tanager 9. Frontenac Point is the subject of one of the most beautiful dioramas at the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota. The list of feeder birds above is huge and youre sure to be able to help a lot of them with feeders from Perky-Pet. Mississippi Birding Hot Spots Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below: The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Heron, Great Blue Look over the following list and the map above to see if you live on or near a fall bird migration route. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions. The lake is actually a pool of the Mississippi River, and the rivers the widest spot. Then continue to the boat launch area. All three scoters and Red-throated Loon have been recorded here, and American White Pelican is present from fall through spring. The northern (eastern) boundary is the MN/WI state line. Be aware that this is a hunting area in parts of fall and winter. Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Over 290 species of birds migrate through the refuge across its 240,000 acre stretch, utilizing the bottomland forest, marshland, river, and prairie ecosystems on their journeys. We get a front and center seat to watch spring migration. Birds are on the move above the Mississippi River! The C.L. We protect Whooping Cranes, Least Terns, Prothonotary Warblers, and many other species at both the north and south ends of their migrations. Here's what you've always wanted to know about the four migratory bird flyways of North America. Kingfisher, Belted Inside the center are two floors of interactive exhibits where you can climb inside a nest and test your strength against our national birds. Mississippi River Flyway Cam - LIVE The Raptor Resource Project has established a new bird cam on an island in the heart Show more Chat is disabled for this live stream. After . Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards, Mile 10, Natchez Trace National Parkway, Mississippi. In North America, these "avian superhighways" are generally grouped as the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyways. Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge installed five wildlife viewing cameras on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Grassland birds arrive in the summer months; look for summer migrants like dickcissel, eastern meadowlarks, eastern bluebirds and indigo buntings and listen for the calls of clay-colored sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, and savannah sparrows on the prairie. The best places to see bald eagles are around the Lock and Dams on the Mississippi River, where the churning water stays open most of the year. In March, the emblematic cry of red-winged blackbirds announces spring's arrival as they return to the wetlands. Dead waterfowl litter an island. Send Mississippi River water to southwestern reservoirs? Nesting birds here include Wood Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, Mississippi Kite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Prothonotary Warbler, Painted Bunting, Dickcissel, and Orchard Oriole. Birds typically use this route because there are no mountains to block their path . The Mingo River National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri is a complex of forests, bluffs and wetlands, the perfect setting for birdwatching. One estimate suggests that 326 species use the flyway. Your support helps secure a future for birds at risk. These dynamic maps highlight exactly where and when waterfowl turn up to help conservationists better protect those species. Photo: Howard Arndt/Audubon Photography Awards, Great Egret. American white pelicans cluster in large pods on the water in late summer, getting ready for the migration ahead! + Migratory Game Birds. Wilson gave the kite the Latin binomial name of Falco mississippiensis: Falco means "falcon", while mississippiensis means from the Mississippi River in the United States. Birds of the River Gorge The gorge is used as a migration flyway for approximately 150 species of birds, including 45 nesting species; 40% of North Americas migratory waterfowl use the river gorge as a migration corridor. The Great River Road connects you with some of the best birdwatching opportunities in the world. ?s Landing and Whitman Dam. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. MN-1e (Species diversity) - This IBA, situated within the Mississippi River corridor, is one of the major routes for spring and fall migrants in the central part of the United States. Large groups of both diving ducks and puddle ducks swim close to the dike and even larger rafts of diving ducks can be seen with a spotting scope as you look north towards the main channel of the Mississippi River. Audubon applauds funding for water infrastructure, climate resiliency, environmental justice. The Brownsville Overlook is located off of Highway 26, about three miles south of Brownsville, Minnesota. From Tomorrow? Red-billed Tropicbird 7. Bird migration forecasts show predicted nocturnal migration 3 hours after local sunset and are updated every 6 hours. Swallow, Tree Small families of sandhill cranes also raise young along the river and marshes. Operated in conjunction with Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge, its an Audubon Important Bird Area with a bird list of more than 250 species. The best time for seeing them flock in full force would be between mid-March and mid-October. Where possible data cited below is limited to the Minnesota portion of the river, however this is often impractical, and biologically illogical. Diving ducks usually arrive a little later and form large rafts on the deeper, open water where they feed on the roots and tubers of aquatic plants. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Audubon knows that only a comprehensive restoration program, and a long-term financial commitment to restoring the Gulf, will keep the flyway hospitable to birds. The current genus of Ictinia originated with Louis Jean . MN ?V 2a The refuge has recorded 18 criteria 2a species. April and May offer the best glimpses of songbirds that stopover or nest in the floodplain forest and marshes on their way back north from the tropics. Nonetheless, it may be possible to see them as they move daily to rest and feed. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge extends nearly 261 miles and contains more than 200,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat in four states along the Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Rock Island, Illinois. Even with the burgeoning spring weather, a bird feeder is a great help to a migrating bird thats been flying for hours. bird migration routes or flyways. Its the least you can do. Song birds, raptors, ducks and wading birds all travel this route this season. See a list of these spots here. Mounted spotting scopes are available for visitors to enjoy. Order a FREE Great River Road 10-state map, St. This is the general phone line at the Mississippi River Visitor Center. The fall season is a phenomenal time to see ducks, American white pelicans, geese, swans, American coot and other waterbirds. The Southern Migration usually peaks sometime during early half of January and the Northern Migration peaks around the middle to the end of February. The Mississippi Kite makes a streamlined silhouette as it careens through the sky on the hunt for small prey, or dive-bombs intruders that come too close to its nest tree. Be sure to explore the effigy mounds while you birdwatch. Begin the route off Highway 43 on the north shore of Ross Barnett Reservoir. Looking at its total system, the Mississippi extends more than 3,700 miles across the country and is the 4th longest river system in the world. Weve established a Gulf-wide stewardship plan for the full range of coastal waterbirds, and this year Audubon received the first installment of funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to get those restoration projects started. At times when the Mississippi River is high, some refuge roads are flooded. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge is actually 240,000 acres and 261 miles long, running through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois and lies within the Mississippi Flyway, the migratory path for birds. The mighty river serves as a natural highway for more than 325 migrating bird species, according to the . The Mississippi River is truly massive, combining three major tributaries that together drain 32 US states and two Canadian provinces, from Alberta to New York to New Mexico. In the so-called Mississippi flyway, a bird migration pattern that goes through the middle of North America, birds tend to trace the path of the world-famous river and its tributaries as they work their way across the U.S., and, for some, up into Canada. While is has much bottomland hardwood forest, its also noted for its uplands formed of loess, a fine, wind-deposited soil. Swift, strong fliers and hunters are often daytime, or diurnal migrants. Shiny Cowbird has been seen occasionally, and Bronzed Cowbird is a regular visitor. Most field guides do not prepare you for that because most people look up as birds fly over. Bald Eagle is another winter visitor and has nested here. The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. Length: 10.2-11.8in Weight: 1.9-2.3oz Wingspan: 15.-16.9in Colors: Soft, buttery brown on their backs and a creamy white on the their chest and bellies. The Lower Lake (the area below the dam) can be a good birding spot as well. ?s Canvasbacks stage on the refuge every fall. is heavily used by hunters, fishers and other recreationists. Magnificent Frigatebird can be seen in late summer. Occurrence values are defined below. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. If the parking lot is full, please do not park along the highway - try visiting the Highway 26 Overlook about a mile south of the Brownsville Overlook, or take a walk along the dike at the Reno Bottoms Canoe Trail Access about 3.5 miles south of the Brownsville Overlook, then return to see if there's space at the overlook. The call of the mourning dove is a delicate, sorrowful sound that is frequently and readily mistaken for an owl's. 3. Usually the swans will stay until the Mississippi River backwaters freeze over, or until late November or early December if the water stays open. The Migratory Bird Program works with partners to protect, restore and conserve bird populations and their habitats for the benefit of future generations by: ensuring long-term ecological sustainability of all migratory bird populations, increasing socioeconomic benefits derived from birds,. Rare gulls have been seen at the lakes outflow among the common Bonapartes, Ring-billed, and Herring gulls. Consider bring along some binoculars and a birding book so you can identify the birds you encounter. Though it is true that much of the state is cropland, its interspersed with refuges protecting remnants of once-vast bottomland hardwood forests. Some species will break up their travels into smaller trips (for example, 200 mile flights per trek) across certain parts of the country. MN ?V 2b Twenty-seven criteria 2b species occur on the refuge. National Audubon Society Credit: Patrick Lantrip, Daily Memphian. They typically spend winter in Central America or Mexico, and as early as February, they begin migrating north to the southern U.S. for breeding. , Thrasher, Brown Grackle, Common By Brian "Fox" Ellis. This area contains the largest northerly (outside Alaska) concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the United States.Two to three hundred eagles use this IBA on a daily basis from November to March. It is an important site for migrating waterfowl, particularly Canvasbacks and Tundra Swans as well as nesting waterbirds, and breeding and wintering Bald Eagles. Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park. Mississippi Kite. A number of rare species have appeared here. Listen for great horned owls and barred owls calling in December through March. Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazineand the latest on birds and their habitats. Eagle, Bald Among those species, there are plenty of feeder birds, including: With all these birds moving through the North American flyways, its very important to offer them easy to access food and water. BIRD MIGRATION: MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY The Mississippi River Flyway is one of North America's most traveled routes during spring and fall bird migrations. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. The Upper Mississippi Valley provides habitat for 305 species of birds, 57 species of mammals, 45 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 134 species of fish.