ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A massive wave of migrating birds filled the night skies over Western North Carolina on Wednesday, with radar estimates showing record-breaking movement across the country.
According to BirdCast, which tracks real-time bird migration using NEXRAD Doppler radar, about 1.25 billion birds were in flight nationwide overnight — a new high for the season. In Buncombe County, an estimated 17.8 million birds crossed the area between 7:10 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. Thursday, moving south-southwest at about 33 miles per hour and at an average altitude of 2,100 feet.
The surge was likely triggered by the first major frost and hard freeze of the season in northern states, prompting birds to head south toward warmer climates…