 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Weather and Songbird Migration
|
|
Dear
Students:
Well, the first fallout of the season occurred this week. It was small,
but it is a taste of what's to come! Last week I mentioned that a cold
front was moving in from the Pacific. The front was weak at first, but
it strengthened as cold air dropped down from Canada and moisture moved
up from the Gulf of Mexico. The first day of spring felt like the first
day of winter in the Midwest and Great Plains! Out west, there were a
few migrants seen. California had its first Lucy's Warbler and Grace's
Warbler, along with 2 very early Baltimore Orioles. Birders in New Mexico
saw their first Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats of the year,
while people in Arizona saw their first Summer Tanager of the spring.
Meanwhile, the eastern US was experiencing mild weather, which allowed migrants that had landed earlier to continue north. People I know in Washington, DC saw their first Louisiana Waterthrushes (perhaps the same ones that were here in Tennessee!) and Yellow-throated Warblers. Massachusetts had 2 Gray Catbirds. Once the front reached Texas and the Midwest, however, the excitement began. It had strengthened to the point where it brought heavy rain to the Gulf Coast, and snow farther north. The fallout occurred along the Texas coast. Seven species of warblers were seen, including the first Black-and-white, Hooded, Kentucky, Yellow-throated, Tennessee, and Northern Parula Warblers. They also saw the first Indigo Buntings and Great-crested Flycatchers. As the front moved east, it forced migrants to land across the southeastern US. Researchers I know in Mississippi saw their first Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Prothonotary Warbler, Blue-headed Vireos, and Ruby- throated Hummingbirds. Georgia also had Blue-headed Vireos, as well as some Nashville Warblers.
This
Week’s
Weather and Migration Outlook
So will this week be just as promising? Well, most of the week looks
pretty quiet in terms of stormy weather, so I don't expect much in
the way of fallouts (large landings of birds).
 |
• The high-pressure area that was behind the front is still parked over the eastern US. It is expected to keep north winds over that area for much of the week. That means that the migrants that landed won't be able to get very far, and any birds arriving from the tropics will be forced to land. People in the eastern US should continue seeing good numbers of migrants.• Farther west, the winds are from the south. This means good weather for the birds, so I don't expect any fallouts. Nonetheless, the south winds will be good for birds to arrive from the tropics; there will still be migrants to see--just not in large numbers.
• Another front is moving across the country. This is another weak front that won't bring much in the way of rain or winds, so the second half of the week and weekend look pretty quiet.
Hurricane Katrina: What Kind of Welcome for Returning Birds?
I am very interested to see what happens along the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina not only destroyed many homes of people, it destroyed many homes for birds as well. Migrants having flown across the Gulf of Mexico look for those coastal habitats as places to rest and refuel for their migration. With so much habitat damage, the birds may have a tough time. On the other hand, Nature is very resilient, and the birds may be able to find food and shelter in the midst of the devastation. It will be interesting to watch.
Take care.
David Aborn
North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
Chattanooga, TN
The Next Weather and Migration Update will Be Posted on March 29, 2006
Copyright
1996-2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our
feedback form
