Weather Forecasts Indicate Slow Spring Migration
Dr. David Aborn returns to provide insights on weather patterns and songbird migration patterns. In this update, we also cover what our volunteers are reporting on Barn Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Loons, Orioles, and Eagles.
Weather Forecasts for Migrating Songbirds
How is weather influencing migration? Dr. David Aborn returns to offer insights into this question.
"Get ready for spring migration! Early arrivals were spotted in the southern US, but northward progress has been delayed by weather. Time to brush up on bird ID skills while we wait for migration to pick up speed!"
Read Dr. David Aborn’s first Weather Forecasts & Migrating Songbirds Report for 2024
Journey North Species
There's plenty to tell about the migration journey of Red-winged Blackbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Common Loons, Barn Swallows, and Eagles.
Barn Swallows
Barn Swallows are on the move! The migration has been tracked from Austin, TX, where Jennifer spotted the first ones in a corner nest on 02/15/2024, to Madill, Oklahoma where Jill observed a male two weeks earlier than usual on 03/04/2024, and from Ardmore, OK where Joyce also saw her first Barn Swallow on 03/04/2024.
Red-winged Blackbirds
March has seen a flurry of activity for Red-winged Blackbirds, with reports coming in from 31 states across the US and 2 provinces in Canada. In the Midwest, sightings have been documented in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Moving westward, observations have been made in Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. In the southern regions, reports come from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and Texas. Meanwhile, New England states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have also recorded sightings. In the mid-Atlantic, sightings have been reported in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, observations have been made in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Kevin in Park Rapids, MN: "The male red-winged blackbird checking out the sunflower feeder.” 03/06/2024
Sue in Ottawa, ON: "Was singing at the top of my locust tree. Only 1 so far. Usually, a big group comes with the grackles." 03/05/2024
Chris in Belleville, ON: "Looked out the window this morning at 8:50 and saw this duo having some breakfast. Four days earlier than last year. I did see a Red Winged Blackbird in our backyard yesterday..." 02/28/2024
Glenn in Idaho Falls, ID: "5 males arrived at feeders." 02/25/2024
Lara in Rockford, IL: "I've been hearing them for a few days, but just had my first sighting at one of my feeders." 03/07/2024
Common Loons
Only two reports have come in for sightings of Common Loons. Both are from observers in Wisconsin. Are you seeing loons on lakes in New England? Minnesota? Or other areas, please report your first arrival dates to Journey North.
Carol in Rib Lake, WI: "It seems early but then my husband heard a loon call two days later on the 11th. The ice is out on the lake, so maybe?" 03/09/2024
Randy in Elkhorn, WI: "Seen on a private pond hopefully pictures to come." 03/10/2024
Orioles
Baltimore Oriole spring migration is picking up. But still no reports of Bullock's Oriole sightings.
Leola in Leominster, MA: "He was looking for my feeder so I ran out and put one up and he’s been here all afternoon." 03/01/2024
Steve in Lowell, MA: "I don't believe I am saying this but I heard it first- clear as a bell and it made me look. It was perched way atop a tall maple they go to frequently...." 02/06/2024
Josh in Darlington, SC : "Observed one." 01/23/2024
Bald Eagles
Check out the Journey North maps to see where Bald Eagles have been observed. If you have seen eagles in your area, please submit your sightings to Journey North.
Garth and Joyce in Webster, ND: "This beautiful bald eagle was perched atop of this cottonwood tree near a prairie road." 03/09/2024
Ken in Del Bonita, AB: "Today I birded the Milk River Ridge along Hwy. 501 between Milk River and Del Bonita, then north along Hwy. 62 to Magrath. Both Bald and Golden Eagles were migrating in a westerly direction along the ridge to the Rockies before they headed north. 21 Bald and 9 Golden Eagles were observed. I couldn't get any Bald Eagle Pictures, but this Golden Eagle posed for me." 03/09/2024
Russell in Saskatoon, SK: "Three observed." 03/10/2024
Call for Photos
If possible, please include photos in your reports. Photos are always helpful; they aid in identification and shed light on behavior. However, birds are not always cooperative subjects. One potential workaround is to take a video and then extract a screenshot to use as a photo. Give it a try!
Learn more in the tutorials below:
Remember to Report your Observations to Journey North!
Are you noticing any of the Journey North project species birds in your area?
Please report what you are seeing to Journey North!
