Spring Flight in Motion: Spotting the Signs of Migration Along the Coast

Spring is stirring in the Lowcountry, and if you know where to look—and what to look for—you’ll see the first signs in the birds.

Along our coastal marshes and mudflats, the subtle but sure signs of spring migration are underway. Shorebirds like dunlin, red knots, and black-bellied plovers are beginning their transformation, signaling they’re preparing for the long flights north to breeding grounds as far away as the Arctic tundra.

It’s not flashy yet—but it’s happening.

Red knots, still largely gray, are beginning to show faint brick-colored hues on their bellies. Dunlins, once plain-breasted, are now speckled with the early dark spots that will soon give way to full breeding plumage. And the black-bellied plovers? The name finally makes sense this time of year. Look closely and you’ll start to see the black creeping up the belly, a prelude to the striking tuxedo pattern they wear to breed.

This annual movement—spring migration—is one of the most awe-inspiring natural events on the planet. Millions of birds migrate twice each year along a latitudinal gradient: south to wintering grounds in autumn, and back north in spring to breed. An estimated 3.5 billion birds re-enter the United States each spring from their southern wintering grounds, following ancient flyways like the Atlantic Flyway that runs straight through the Lowcountry.

Why do they do it? Birds migrate to find optimal nesting grounds and to follow the seasonal flush of food, especially insects. Warmer temperatures and longer daylight up north trigger the availability of food and safe breeding habitat—both essential for raising the next generation.

And how do they find their way? It’s nothing short of remarkable. Birds rely on a combination of celestial cues—stars, sun, and even polarized light patterns in the sky—and Earth’s geomagnetic field to guide them. Some birds are thought to use a magnetic compass in their eyes. Others can sense the magnetic field generated by Earth’s molten core, allowing them to orient themselves with shocking accuracy. Science is still unraveling how all of this works, but the fact remains: they get where they’re going, often across thousands of miles, over oceans and continents.

And the Lowcountry? We’re in a prime spot to witness this epic journey. Our beaches, mudflats, maritime forests, and marshes aren’t just scenic—they’re essential stopovers for refueling and rest. Without these habitats, many of these birds wouldn’t survive the trip.

This is your moment to step outside, tune in, and take notice. Bring your binoculars to the beach. Watch the flats at low tide. Look for the subtle shifts, the new feathers, the signs that something ancient and wild is moving through.

And if you want to dig deeper into the miracle of migration here in the Lowcountry, download my free guide: Spring Flight: Bird Migration Through the Lowcountry. It’s packed with ID tips, migration timelines, and where to find key species during their brief but critical stopovers.

🕊️ Download the free guide here

This season, don’t just welcome spring. Witness it.