- Many of us know that a lot of our birds fly south for the winter.

Our birds here in the Midwest, like our American woodcocks, warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, and many more species, fly south to areas where insects are still buzzing around because that's what they eat.

But have you ever thought about the birds that live north?

Where do they go for the winter?

Well, (laughing) some of 'em go right here, right into the Midwest, where we're all at.

Ohio is a birding hotspot right now because birds like saw whet owls, snowy owls, harriers, juncos, tree sparrows, and many more species fly south to right here for the winter.

Let's go on an adventure and see if we can find them.

(snow crunching) There's some ground birds up there.

Oh wow.

Oh, you don't see these every day.

This is a dark-eyed junco with a slate colored back and wings, white belly, just hopping around looking for seed.

This guy comes from Canada.

(birds chirping continues) Now that was cool.

Just think about it.

That little junco flew all the way down here from Canada, and it's gonna go right back up there in the springtime.

And it doesn't have to put on a coat.

(laughing) Pretty crazy.

Oh, and check this guy out.

He doesn't look like much blending in, but this guy comes from near the North Pole.

(laughing) Watch him look around for seed.

He's really good at it.

(birds chirping continues) (laughing) (snow crunching) Oh, check that out.

(laughing) They call this is a long-eared owl, and he comes from Canada too.

But those are just feather tufts, not ears.

(laughing) Now that was pretty cool.

Let's see what else we can find.

(laughing) (snow crunching) Oh wow, a pileated woodpecker.

Wow, these guys are really neat.

Of course, you can see these year round here in the Midwest, but seeing these are just always breathtaking.

(wings whooshing) (laughing) Well, let's see what else we can find.

(snow crunching) Oh, no way, do you see her?

Look close.

This is a saw whet owl, also comes from the north.

Super cool.

(birds chirping) (laughing) This has turned out to be a pretty good day.

(snow crunching) You know, it's great that you guys are along with me.

(laughing) You know, there's nothing better than having friends with you when you're out birding.

You got more eyes, so more eyes can look around and find things that maybe you just yourself would miss.

So, grab a friend when you go out birding.

(snow crunching) (laughing) Oh, that was fun.

Thanks for coming along with me.

What kind of birds migrate to your neighborhood?

Well, bundle up warm, grab yourself a set of binoculars, and get outside and find out.

Have fun exploring.