What you need to know about this year's fall bird migration in Massachusetts PlayFall migration in Massachusetts is to birds as Sept. 1 is to students in Boston: Some are moving in, some are moving out, and others are just passing through. For early risers, there are plenty of birds just waking up and looking for breakfast, said John Herbert, Director of Bird Conservation at Mass Audubon. For would-be bird watchers who like to sleep in, there’s a good chance of hearing breeds that navigate by the stars as part of their migration. There’s an app for thatHerbert said bird watching can be intimidating for newbies; it can be hard to know what you’re hearing or seeing. “It just takes practice, and just going out and being out in nature, looking at birds, hearing them, that builds that practice,” he said.