By Mr. Mutt Ruff ~ Word ’Round Town’s Four~Legged Critter Correspondent
WOOF! WOOF! 🐾
Well, hello there, neighbors!
Mr. Mutt Ruff here, reporting for duty with all four paws on the ground and my nose pointed toward the sky!
Now, I don’t know about you folks, but there’s something mighty interesting happening around our neck of the woods this time of year.
Everybody seems to be heading somewhere!
The squirrels are gathering groceries, the leaves are packing up and leaving their trees, and apparently, a whole bunch of birds have decided it’s time for a road trip!
Except these feathered travelers don’t need a car, a suitcase, or even a gas station.
They’ve got wings!
And the Mississippi River is one mighty important stopping place along their journey.
A Highway in the Sky? Who Knew!
Now, I’ve chased a few things in my day, but I haven’t figured out how to chase a highway that’s way up in the sky!
Turns out, it’s called the Mississippi Flyway.
It’s one of North America’s major bird migration routes, and the Mississippi River provides important places for birds traveling between their northern breeding grounds and warmer places farther south.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, approximately 40 percent of North America’s waterfowl migrate along the Mississippi Flyway.
FORTY PERCENT!
That’s a whole lot of wings flappin’!
Ducks, geese, swans, pelicans, and other birds pass through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge during their seasonal journeys.
Hold Onto Your Dog Biscuits ~ Here Come the Swans!
Now here’s something that nearly made me drop my favorite chew toy.
Tundra swans travel all the way from the Arctic to stop along the Mississippi River!
These beautiful white birds generally begin arriving in late October or early November.
And according to the wildlife experts, the biggest gatherings usually occur during the second or third week of November.
Of course, Mother Nature has her own schedule!
Warmer weather can delay their arrival, while colder temperatures encourage birds to continue south.
During a good migration season, thousands of swans may gather along stretches of the river.
THOUSANDS!
I’ve got four paws, and sometimes I can’t even keep track of those.
Imagine trying to count all those swans!
Why Stop Here?
Well, if I were traveling hundreds of miles, I’d be looking for three things.
Something to eat.
A comfortable place to rest.
And somewhere nobody was going to bother me while I took a nap!
Turns out, birds aren’t all that different.
The Mississippi River’s backwaters offer places where migrating birds can feed, rest, and build up energy before continuing their journey.
Some ducks prefer shallow water, while others gather in large groups on deeper water.
And those big floating groups of diving ducks?
They’re called rafts.
RAFTS!
Now I’ve heard of a raft floating down the river, but I never knew a bunch of ducks could BE one!
You learn something new every day, neighbors!
Want to See the Feathered Travelers?
If you’re out enjoying the Mississippi River this fall, keep those eyes open!
You might spot ducks gathering on the water, geese overhead, bald eagles perched along the river, or perhaps some beautiful tundra swans.
One particularly good viewing location is Brownsville Overlook, along Minnesota Highway 26, approximately three miles south of Brownsville.
And here’s something worth marking on your calendar!
On Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and its partners will offer a free Waterfowl Observation Day at the Brownsville and Shady Maple overlooks.
Visitors can watch migrating birds and learn more about them from knowledgeable volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Now, I might need somebody to explain why those birds get to fly south for the winter while I’m still expected to go outside when it’s snowing!
And remember, neighbors, these feathered travelers have a long journey ahead.
Give them plenty of room to rest and feed without disturbing them.
Even us dogs need a little peace and quiet now and then.
Especially when somebody’s trying to sneak up and steal our favorite sleeping spot!
A Little Thought From This Old Mutt
You know, neighbors, watching the seasons change reminds me of something.
Every critter has its own journey.
Some travel thousands of miles.
Some never wander farther than the backyard.
And some of us are perfectly happy wherever there’s a warm blanket, a full supper bowl, and somebody willing to scratch behind our ears.
But no matter where we’re headed, we all need a safe place to stop and catch our breath.
So here’s wishing our feathered travelers a safe journey.
And to all you good folks reading along…
May you always find a welcoming place to land.
Until next time, keep those tails waggin’, your noses curious, and your hearts kind!
WOOF! WOOF! ❤️🐾
Mr. Mutt Ruff
Your Four~Legged Critter Correspondent
Word ’Round Town ~ Critter Corner
Deliverance Hope word-round-town.com
Keep Goin’ ‘Round Town
There’s always another story waiting just around the corner.