Weather and Songbird Migration

Weather & Songbird Migration

May 7, 2008

Dr. David Aborn

Dear Students:

IWell, it has been another good week for migration. Many places across the country reported a steady stream of migrants through their area. The front that moved across the country last week was not strong enough to cause large fallouts, but a few places had good numbers. Along the Gulf coast, the most numerous species seemed to be Red-eyed Vireo, with 200 being seem in Louisiana. Gray Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were also numerous all along the Gulf coast, and a total of 19 warbler species was seen.

Interesting Numbers Appearing
The story was similar elsewhere; large numbers of one or two species, small numbers but good diversity of everything else. Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, and Baltimore Orioles seemed to lead the way. In New Jersey, birders saw thousands of catbirds, and hundreds of orioles, Yellow Warblers, and House Wrens. Birders in Ohio also saw lots of orioles and Yellow Warblers. Yellow Warblers were seen as far north as Minnesota and North Dakota. Here in Tennessee, after the storms moved through on Saturday, there was a nice little fallout in my back yard. Not long after the rain stopped, I saw or heard many Swainson's Thrushes, Blackpoll Warblers, Bay-breasted Warblers, and American Redstarts. That just shows you don't have to travel far to witness migration!

Many places in the northern US are starting to see good numbers of other migrants showing up. Black-throated-blue Warblers, Black-throated-green Warblers, Blackburnian Warblers, Ovenbirds, Blue-headed Vireos, and Baltimore Orioles were all reported in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Indigo Buntings, orioles, Tennessee Warblers, and Summer Tanagers are arriving in Kansas. In addition to the Yellow Warblers I mentioned, people in Minnesota are also reporting Tennessee Warblers and Common Yellowthroats.

The western US had a similar week to the central and eastern US. Some of the migration hotspots in New Mexico were reporting Yellow Warblers, Black-throated-gray Warblers, and Gray Flycatchers. Many places in California reported lots of Wilson's Warblers and Warbling Vireos, along with Bullock's Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks.

What to Expect This Week
This week looks like it will be a repeat of last week:

Another front is moving across the country, but it is not a strong one. It will force birds to land, but I don't expect any large fallouts. Nonetheless, there will plenty to see!

Heads Up for International Migratory Bird Day
This is the last weather report of the season, and it is fitting that this weekend many places will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day. This is a day to learn about and study migratory birds. There will be bird counts, lectures, and activities all over the country. To learn more about IMBD and to see what activities are going on in your area, click here.

I have enjoyed teaching you this year, and hope you have learned something from my reports. There are still a few more weeks of migration left. Even though there won't be any more Weather and Songbird Migration reports, that is no excuse not to get out there and see what's going on!

Take care and have a great summer!

David Aborn
North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
Chattanooga, TN

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This is the FINAL Weather and Migration Update for 2008. Happy Birding, and we'll see you next spring!