By EMILY D. COOK / Community Columnist

Spring migration should begin soon, if it hasn’t already.

In our area, it can begin in early March and last into May.

Several factors affect migration of all animals. We often think that birds are the only animals that migrate, but there are many that do.

Bats, butterflies, fish, frogs and many others migrate.

Factors that affect migration include temperature, light and species.

Temperature of an area will cause animals to migrate to warmer climates because they cannot tolerate cold weather.

Length of day can trigger migration to take place because animals like longer days than nights in order to be able forage for food.

The species of animal can cause migration to begin sooner in some than in others, because some must travel further.

Reasons to migrate include food availability, climate (which goes back to temperature), family and season.

Animals may migrate because their food supply has become low or because they vary their diet based on the season.

Some grasses only grow during a certain season in a particular location, but moving to a different location may offer them the same grass but at a different time.

The Arctic Tern (a seabird) travels from the Arctic, where they experience a northern summer to the Antarctic so they can experience the southern summer.

This means they get two summers each year, though they must travel 44,000 to 56,000 miles round trip each year to do so.

Some fish (like salmon) travel between saltwater and freshwater.

They reproduce in freshwater but spend the majority of their life in saltwater.

Why do we talk about migration? We live in a migration route for many animals (mainly birds but others do travel through here), so we are able to see some interesting visitors as they pass through to their destination.

If you know what comes through your area and when, you can help them by offering their favorite foods to keep them healthy on their journey.

Please remember that you keep Alabama State Parks open by visiting them. Thank you for your support.