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A structural engineer with a love for tech, politics, science, and culture.
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Member Since: 1/2006

Earlier Return for Long-Haul Migrant Birds

Climate change has led several migrating bird species to re-set their travel clocks. In a new study, researchers claim that the earlier onset of spring in northern Europe seems to affect long-distance bird migrants, most of which winter in Africa, more than it does Europe's short-distance avian vacationers. Researchers say the findings suggest that these birds' earlier migration may result from evolutionary changes driven by the warming climate.

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Comments:

that sounds like a pretty bunk explanation. The evolution one.

Reply#1 - Tue Jul 4, 2006 12:54 PM EDT

Evolution may eventually change their patterns, but I think that these current changes may be due to previous evolution which is based on wether patterns. the weather is changing and so does their migration because local conditions flip the switch, not a certain date.

Reply#2 - Tue Jul 4, 2006 9:28 PM EDT