Fall Flights: Atlantic Flyway Migration Updates
December 5, 2024
Buzz and Journey: Two Mallards Leading the Way in the Atlantic Flyway Migration
As the waterfowl migration season picks up, we’re excited to share the movements of two incredible mallards who have taken flight as part of the Atlantic Flyway migration. These birds showcase the awe-inspiring distances and speeds that mallards can achieve, helping us understand and celebrate their remarkable journeys.
Buzz the Mallard Heads East
Our first major migratory mallard of the year, Mallard 26—nicknamed “Buzz”—was proudly named and sponsored by an amazing group of students from Lebanon, Missouri.
Buzz left Southern Ontario at 11:00 PM, soaring across Lake Erie and heading east into Pennsylvania. He covered an impressive 380 miles over 8 hours, landing in northern Pennsylvania shortly after 7:00 AM on Friday, November 8th.
During his flight, Buzz reached hourly speeds of 52, 54, 56, 65, 70, 53, 34, and 35 miles per hour. For altitude enthusiasts, here are his recorded altitudes (in feet above ground level) during the journey: 562, 267, 2242, 1518, 1163, 404, 489, and 285. Ever wonder how far a duck can travel in a single day? Click here
Mallard “Journey” Begins His… Journey
Our second major flyer of the year took to the skies on Tuesday, November 26th: Drake Mallard 16, better known as “Journey”, proudly named and sponsored by Dr. Duck, Dennis Loosier himself!
Journey embarked on a 464.9-mile flight, leaving Kingsville, Ontario at 10:30 PM. His route took him across Lake Erie, through southern New York and into northern Pennsylvania, reaching Scranton. From there, Journey made a slight right turn, heading southeast into New Jersey and landing near Trenton between 5–6 AM Wednesday morning.
During his 8-hour nocturnal flight, Journey recorded hourly speeds of 64, 65, 72, 77, 78, 65, and 66 miles per hour, with a maximum altitude of 3,200 feet above ground.
Tracking the Magic of Waterfowl Migration
These amazing journeys are part of a project conducted by the teams at Jack Miner and 50 Ducks to support waterfowl tracking and conservation. By following birds like Buzz and Journey, we’re uncovering valuable insights into the movements and behaviors of waterfowl, helping to protect their habitats and migration paths.
To experience the magic of waterfowl migration for yourself, visit 50Ducks.com or download the 50 Ducks App from the App Store. Every membership directly supports conservation efforts and helps us bring these incredible journeys to life.
Join us today and become part of a growing community making a difference for wetlands and wildlife.
And remember, our platform is always 100% free for teachers. Help us inspire the next generation of conservationists by sharing this with a teacher you know. Encourage them to bring the wonders of migration into their classrooms and spark curiosity about the natural world!
