A Season on the Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration

A close study of one season along Lake Erie that reveals the amazing science and magic of spring bird migration, and the perils of human encroachment.

“Kenn Kaufman knows his birds and their miraculous journeys—and he feels them deeply, too. An enlightening, thought-provoking, and poignant read.” —Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds

Every spring, billions of birds sweep north, driven by ancient instincts to return to their breeding grounds. This vast parade often goes unnoticed, except in a few places where these small travelers concentrate in large numbers. One such place is along Lake Erie in northwestern Ohio. There, the peak of spring migration is so spectacular that it attracts bird watchers from around the globe, culminating in one of the world’s biggest birding festivals.

Millions of winged migrants pass through the region, some traveling thousands of miles, performing epic feats of endurance and navigating with stunning accuracy. Now climate change threatens to disrupt patterns of migration and the delicate balance between birds, seasons, and habitats. But wind farms—popular as green energy sources—can be disastrous for birds if built in the wrong places. This is a fascinating and urgent study of the complex issues that affect bird migration.

“Kaufman soars above his Ohio home place and artfully shares the world of birds and the miraculous feats of migration that persist amidst constant conservation struggles and hard-won successes.” —J. Drew Lanham, author of The Home Place

“A Season on the Wind will transform the way we see birds and the season of spring!” —Melissa Groo, wildlife photographer and conservationist

© 2019 Blackstone Publishing (Audiobook): 9781982684488
© 2023 Mariner Books (Ebook): 9781328566768

Release date

Audiobook: 27 August 2019
Ebook: 21 November 2023