 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Weather and Migration
|
|
Dear Students:
As International Migratory Bird Day approaches (May 14), migration is winding down for some, but peaking for others. This past week has been a good one across the country. Texas and Louisiana had a last big arrival of migrants, with large numbers of warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia had 20 species of warblers, and here in Tennessee it was also busy. A birder at Radnor Lake near Nashville reported 10 species of warblers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Philadelphia Vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, and Scarlet Tanagers...all in one tree!!! In Maryville, in NE Tennessee, another birder had 14 Baltimore Orioles in one group of trees and 17 in another. At my study site there were lots of Blackpoll Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers--and American Redstarts, and Swainson's Thrushes made their first appearance.
The winds have been predominantly from the south, which has allowed migrants to spread over the continent. Pat Sutton of the Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey reports, "Spring has flooded every nook and cranny of Cape May County." Cape May is one of the best places in North America to view both spring and fall migration, and it sounds like this year is no different. One birder in Massachusetts saw 122 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 800 Barn Swallows, along with Blue-headed Vireos and Black-and-white Warblers. Least Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, and Orchard Orioles were also common. In the Midwest, Illinois and Wisconsin have reported 12 species of warblers, Warbling Vireos, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles.
The west
has also been jumping (flapping?). Once again, New Mexico has had a
good week. Birders at Melrose, NM saw 8 species
of warblers, along
with Bell's Vireos, Least Flycatchers, Gray Flycatchers, and Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks. The southerly winds have also been present out west, allowing
migrants to get pretty far north. Washington and Idaho report "lots
of migrants moving about." Some of the highlights included Cassin's
Vireos, Warbling Vireos, Nashville Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Orange-crowned
Warblers, and Dusky Flycatchers.
The Outlook for Birdwatchers
What's the Outlook for Birdwatchers?
The coming week looks good for the northern half of the country. Another
front moving across the US will force many migrants to land. While migration
is ending in the southern US, a few latecomers out there still remain,
so there might still be a mini-fallout later this week. For the rest
of the country, migration is starting to peak, so you should have an
exciting week ahead. Even if migration is ending where you are, there
are still plenty of birds for you to enjoy. Don't forget, you need to
keep in practice for fall migration!
If any of you have any questions about spring bird migration, I will be happy to answer them. Otherwise, take care and have a great summer!
David
Aborn
North
Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, TN
 |
| Click
to enlarge |
This is the FINAL Weather and Songbird Migration Update for Spring 2005. Join us again next spring!
Copyright
1996-2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our
feedback form
