09/11/2026
🐦 MILLIONS OF BIRDS ON THE MOVE ACROSS ONTARIO!
If you took a look at the radar on IW Pro this evening, you might have thought it was raining across a large part of Southern Ontario. But despite all that green showing up on radar, much of it isn’t rain at all. It’s birds!
Fall migration is ramping up across Ontario as millions of birds begin their seasonal journey south ahead of the colder months.
Weather radar is sensitive enough to detect more than just rain and snow. When huge numbers of birds take flight at the same time, especially after sunset when many species migrate, they can produce widespread radar returns that look surprisingly similar to precipitation.
That’s exactly what we’re seeing tonight, with a large area of what looks like light rain spreading across Southern Ontario on radar despite mostly dry conditions.
And while all these birds are on the move tonight, there’s something simple you can do to help them out!
Many birds migrate at night and artificial lighting can attract and disorient them, particularly around cities and tall buildings. Turning off unnecessary outdoor and indoor lights, or closing your blinds and curtains, can help reduce the risk of birds becoming confused or colliding with buildings.
So if you don’t need a light on tonight, consider switching it off. It saves a little electricity and makes the nighttime journey a bit safer for the millions of birds travelling overhead.
Another cool sign that summer is quickly coming to an end across Ontario.
- Brennen
