For most humans, the increasingly longer days that arrive with spring are little more than a signal that summer is on the horizon.

For migratory birds, however, they're a signal to begin the long journey home. But as our environment continues to change, these birds are finding that the home they return to is changing, too, as The Guardian reported. 

What's happening?

While warming temperatures and increasingly extreme weather events don't impact the timing of the spring equinox, they do impact spring. For all intents and purposes, the season now begins earlier, as warmer weather comes sooner. This leads to flowers blooming sooner and both insects and animals emerging from hibernation earlier.   

Migratory birds are not privy to the earlier onset of spring back up North. Their cue to begin migration comes from the lengthening days. As daylight lingers longer, a number of bodily changes begin within migratory birds. As Scientific American detailed, shifting hormones influence digestive patterns to bulk up and build muscle for the upcoming trip. Molting occurs so that they will have brand-new feathers for their long flight home. 

But while Earth's pattern of shortening and lengthening days remains fixed, the environment continues to transform. According to The Guardian, these migratory birds return home to find that they've missed out on peak insect availability, leaving both them and their young with less food. This can impact everything from breeding to health to life expectancy, and it can lead to changes in migration times and routes.  

Why is bird migration important?

Bird migration has a tremendous impact on more than one habitat. This unique behavior is responsible for connecting distant ecosystems. They spread seeds and pollinate plants, encouraging biodiversity while also helping control insect populations and providing food for predators.   

If birds begin to change the timing of their migratory trips, it could upset the delicate balance of each ecosystem they inhabit. 

What's being done about rising global temperatures?

The biggest contributors to rising temperatures are fossil fuels. If you want to be part of the solution, reducing your use of fossil fuels is key. That can be done in several ways.

For instance, opting for public transit or upgrading to an EV can drastically shrink your environmental impact while saving you a ton of money. So can upgrading to solar or a heat pump in your home. Shopping secondhand is another great way to limit spending while reducing strain on the planet.

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