This is bird note.

We often think of birds migrating south in the fall,

but many species kick off their big trips

surprisingly early in the year.

Shore birds nesting in the Arctic tundra are an extreme example.

Birds like this American golden plover have a small window of time to build a nest, find a mate,

and lay eggs in the short Arctic growing season. Golden plovers actually leave their juvenile young behind to begin flying south in mid-summer.

But don't worry, at that point, the juveniles are already taking care of themselves and can find their own way to South America

later in the year.

What that means for people living below the Arctic Circle in North America

is that shorebirds begin reappearing on beaches, mudflats, and grasslands in July and August.

Unlike the rapid flight north in the spring, shorebirds take their time in the fall, following the weather

patterns and stopping for a while when they find a good spot for food.

So for shorebirds, it's like summers over as soon as it began.

Another way to look at it?

Every month of the year has a big event for birds life cycles.

And there's always something new for us to witness.

For bird note, I'm Ariana Rummel. channel.