Weather and Migration Dr. David Aborn March 23, 2005 Dear Students: All the rain and nasty weather over the eastern part of the country has forced a lot of migrants to land, especially along the Gulf Coast. Mississippi has seen the greatest diversity of migrants over the past few days...11 species! That's not bad this early in the season. People from the coast up to Vicksburg have seen gnatcatchers, Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Parulas, Black-and-white Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Black-throated-green Warblers, White-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Great-crested Flycatchers, and Indigo Buntings. What a feast for the eyes! Louisiana Waterthrushes were seen in Georgia and here in Tennessee. I also saw the first Blue-headed Vireo for the spring in Tennessee, and there were reports of an Orchard Oriole and a VERY early Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The Next Wave of Migrants is Coming While there has been a lot of bad weather this past week, there have been enough clear days with south winds to allow some birds to make it farther north. Those first-to-arrive swallows made it up to Kentucky, Iowa, and New Jersey. I know people are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next wave of migrants. The western US has seen some nicer weather. Southerly breezes have allowed swallows to reach Oregon, and new birds have arrived elsewhere. Arizona reported a Louisiana Waterthrush, California had a Baltimore Oriole and a few Summer Tanagers, and New Mexico had gnatcatchers, a Vermillion Flycatcher, and a Black-throated-gray Warbler. Birdwatchers' Outlook The eastern US will get a break from the rain for a couple of days. There is high pressure over the Gulf coast, but the winds are not very strong. However, it should still force some birds to land, so be on the lookout! The same high pressure is bringing southerly winds to the southwest. This will allow migrants already there to keep heading north, and also bring in a new group of migrants from the tropics. They won't get too far, however, because another front is moving in from the northwest. This will bring rain across the country by the end of the week and weekend, so birds will once again be forced to land. Migration should really start picking up, so get out and see it! Take care. David Aborn North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, TN Click to enlarge The Next Weather and Songbird Migration Update will Be Posted on March 30, 2005. Copyright 1996-2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form