The Migratory Stoy

Migration; it conjures the image of waterfowl flying in "V" formations and warblers invading woodlands with their colorful songs and beautiful plumage. These travels take birds from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and back again. These journeys occur mainly in the northern hemisphere with birds funneling back and forth along identified flyways. From a historical standpoint, bird movements have been reported for over 3,000 years. While Homer and Aristotle wrote about these seasonal disappearing acts, most didn't fully understand the significance or even the destination of these birds. Some theorized that the birds gathered together and flew off to hibernate in isolated areas; an idea that persisted within some circles until 1878. While this would sound far-fetched to a grade-school graduate today, the theory wasn't the strangest of the ideas floating from learned tongues. Charles Morton, a 17th century English minister and scientist, put together a well-written explanation that made him one of the first to claim that birds were migrating a great distance…but he thought that their destination was the moon. Morton suggested that the birds flew off at a Nascar-ish 125 miles-per-hour for sixty days to complete his estimated 179,712 journey. Even then, his predicted distance to the moon was close, which is calculated at 252,000 miles at its closest; but that was as close that his theory could get. According to Thomas P. Harrison's essay "Birds in the Moon," Morton noted that migrating birds recognize "changes of the air where they are," and the "alteration of abatement of their daily food," and are stirred to "obtain what is more suitable to them or to avoid what is offensive". I guess Morton was on the right track, he just didn't have information from the bird's points of arrival. He was also combating other popular theories of birds burying themselves in the mud along rivers and another of some species transforming into other bird species commonly spotted during winter months. Sailors helped bolster Morton's hypothesis with tales of woodcock dropping from the sky and landing on their seaborne ships. With no land in sight, and the birds dropping straight down from the heavens, from where else could they possibly be coming? While it's easy to look back on the silliness of these old migration theories, it could be that many of today's scientific concepts may have folks snickering at us. Need a little proof? In 1977, Ken Olson, president of Digital Equipment Corp. said, "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Long-distance migration has evolved over thousands of years and are controlled at least partially by the genetic makeup of the birds. They also incorporate responses to weather, geography, food sources, day length, and other factors. Today, scientists use several techniques to study migration, including banding, satellite tracking, and lightweight tracking devices known as geolocators. Researchers hope to locate important stopover and wintering locations. Once identified, steps can be taken to protect and save these key habitats. If you'd like to learn about bird movements, "Songbird Journeys", by the Cornell Lab's Miyoko Chu, is easy-to-read and would make a fine addition for anyone's library. Like most things these days, it can be found on www.amazon.com. "A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song." - Chinese Proverb Along the Way Lake Erie anglers can expect the 2026 season to again offer world-class fishing, according to the Division of Wildlife. As walleye from Lake Erie's recent large hatches continue to grow, anglers can expect even more "Fish Ohio" sized walleyes to be caught in The Walleye Capital of the World. A Lake Erie "Fish Ohio" walleye is a fish measuring 28 inches or more in length. Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch 2026 quotas were announced by the Lake Erie Committee on March 27. All angler daily harvest limits remain unchanged in Ohio for 2026 and will be in effect through April 30, 2027. Now for a little more walleye news. Angler harvest rates set a new record high in 2025, and exceptional fishing is expected again in 2026. Above-average hatch success in eight of the past 11 years has sustained an abundant lake-wide population of walleye, and fish from the large 2015 year-class will provide trophy opportunities in upcoming seasons. Unfortunately, the yellow perch news isn't quite so good. The yellow perch populations continue to struggle in most of Lake Erie, although a stable yellow perch population in Lake Erie's west zone should provide good fishing in 2026. Recent years have provided seasonally and regionally variable angling success for yellow perch. In 2026, the best fishing is expected in July and August in the west zone, where more consistent hatch success has resulted in better angling opportunities. Ohio's central and east zones have both experienced low angler catch rates, as below-average hatches have resulted in decreased abundance. In the central and east zones, the best opportunities to catch limits are late in the fall near harbors as large adult perch migrate inshore to find baitfish. Ohio's Lake Erie Angler Daily Limits (May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027) Walleye: 6 fish per day, 15-inch minimum length requirementYellow perch, west zone (approximately Toledo to Huron): 30 fish per dayYellow Perch, central zone (approximately Huron to Fairport Harbor): 10 fish per dayYellow Perch, east zone (approximately Fairport Harbor to Conneaut): 20 fish per day Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches with annually determined harvest levels that ensure sustainability. Lake Erie fishing reports, information on Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, maps, and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov. The 2026-27 fishing regulations can be found via the HuntFish OH app, on wildohio.gov, or at locations where fishing licenses are sold. Step Outside • The "Biggest Week in American Birding" is built around peak spring migration along the south shore of Lake Erie, with Magee Marsh Wildlife Area as the headline act. The festival runs May 8–17, 2026 (with registration dates posted in advance), and it's hosted by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory; www.bsbo.org. • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed my friend Paul A. Brooks of Findlay (Hancock Co.) to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning February 27, 2026, and ending January 31, 2030. James E. Samuel of Columbus (Franklin Co.) has also been reappointed to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning February 27, 2026, and ending January 31, 2030. • Tuesday: HCCL (Hancock County Conservation League) 13748 Township Road 168, Findlay, 4:30 p.m. Steel challenge rimfire rifle event. There is no cost to attend events for HCCL members. All non-members or guests must be accompanied by a member and will be charged $5 to attend. For details: crowegirls1@gmail.com • Thursday: Trap and Skeet Practice, open to the public. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. • April 25: London State Fish Hatchery Openhous. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 2470 Roberts Mill Rd, London, 43140. Division of Wildlife staff will give tours and answer questions about fish production and fisheries management. Guests may learn about these hatcheries, view fish eggs and fry in production buildings, and watch older fish in ponds or raceways. Family-friendly activities and displays including an archery trailer will be available. • Spring Turkey Season Information: The Northeast Zone is Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties. The South Zone is the remainder of the state.April 18-19: South Zone Youth-Only Turkey Season.April 25-26: Northeast Zone Youth-Only Turkey Season.April 25-May 24: South Zone Spring Turkey Season.May 2-May 31: Northeast Zone Spring Turkey Season.Spring Turkey Season Hours: South Zone wild turkey hunting hours from April 25 - May 3, 2026 are 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.South Zone wild turkey hunting hours from May 4 - May 24, 2026 are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.Northeast Zone wild turkey hunting hours from May 2 - May 10, 2026 are 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.Northeast Zone wild turkey hunting hours from May 11 - May 31, 2026 are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.