March 26, 2008
 |
Dr.
David Aborn |
Dear Students:
After being shut down by northerly winds at the end of last week, birds are on the move again. Over the weekend, the high pressure system had moved far enough east that southerly winds took over and allowed birds to start flying again.
New Arrivals in the South
Notable
new arrivals include Black-throated-green Warblers in Texas, Alabama,
South Carolina, and Georgia, a Wood Thrush
in Louisiana, Chimney Swifts in Florida and Louisiana, Orchard Orioles
in Alabama, and Great-crested Flycatchers in Louisiana, and Red-eyed
Vireos in Florida (lots of them) and Alabama.
Good
Birding in the North
Birders farther north got their first taste of migration, as birds
that were in the south were able to complete another leg of their
journey.
Washington, DC, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Indiana all reported Yellow-throated
Warblers, and a Louisiana Waterthrush was seen in Ohio. People in the
Show-Me State could have also shown you a Hooded Warbler and a Common
Yellowthroat on Monday.
Migrating Birds in the West
There was also a nice movement of birds out west. Hammond's Flycatchers
and Ash-throated Flycatchers were seen in New Mexico, along with
a variety of swallows. Arizona was treated to their first Warbling
Vireos,
Lucy's
Warblers, Scott's Orioles, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Not to
be outdone, birders in California also reported Scott's Orioles,
as well
as Rufus Hummingbirds, a Summer Tanager, Common Yellowthroats, a
Bullock's Oriole, and White-throated Swifts.
What to Expect This Week
So, will this week just as good (or maybe better?!) than last week?
Take a look at the weather map:
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Another cold front is moving across the center of the country right now, but it is weak; that means it is not bringing much rain, and the winds behind it are not very strong. It may slow birds down a bit, but not for long.
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Winds are expected to swing around from the south just a day or two after the front passes. For example, here in Chattanooga, temps are supposed to be in the mid-70's on Friday, mid-60's on Saturday, and then back into the 70's on Sunday. All this means that migration should continue without much interruption.
While
diversity of species was good last week, there weren't large numbers
of things. That should begin to change as migration picks up. It should
be a good week, so get out there and enjoy it!
Take Care.
David Aborn
North
Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
Chattanooga, TN
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