Dr. David Aborn's 2022 Weather Forecasts for Migrating Songbirds #4

Published: 04/15/2022

Dear Journey North Readers,

Wash, rinse, repeat. For the fourth week in a row, there is a strong storm system moving across the country, which will impact migration. Two weeks ago, I mentioned that the storms would only give migrants a small window of time for migration: there was an uptick in diversity, but no big numbers of birds seen. The situation this past week was similar. Among the new species seen were Gray Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles in South Carolina and North Carolina, and Tennessee Warblers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in Alabama and Mississippi. Here in Chattanooga, I saw my first Wood Thrushes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-eyed Vireos, and Black-and-white Warblers. There was enough of a break in the weather to push Nashville Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and White-eyed Vireos into Oklahoma. Louisiana Waterthrushes, Blue-headed Vireos, and Yellow-throated Warblers moved into Ohio, and Purple Martins made it to New York.

Weather conditions out west were more favorable and there was a bigger influx of migrants. In Arizona, Plumbeous Vireos and Bell’s Vireos were among the new arrivals. Vaux’s Swifts, Lazuli Buntings, and Warbling Vireos were seen in California, along with more Western Kingbirds. Good flying weather allowed some of those Vaux’s Swifts to make it into Oregon, along with some Western Tanagers and Orange-crowned Warblers.

The current storm system will force any migrants in the Midwest and South to land, and after the front passes, they will be grounded a few more days due to strong north winds (it is 80 degrees in TN today, but we will be in the 60’s by the weekend). Birders in the Great Plains and South should see a nice assortment of migrants that are grounded there, but farther north there won’t be many of them. Out west, conditions are good right now with clear skies and southerly winds, so birders should see lots of activity. More northerly locations will likely welcome first arrivals. There does not appear to be another system moving in from the Pacific –  people and birds may finally get a break from the stormy weather! Take care.

David Aborn