Weather and Migration
Dr. David Aborn
|
April 23, 2003
Dear Students:
Migration is chugging along. The front that moved across the country last
week brought in a new group of migrants. When the front reached the Gulf
Coast states on Saturday, it forced some of the mid-season migrants such
as Kentucky Warblers, Blue-winged Warblers, and Orchard Orioles, to land.
A couple of the late season migrants, such as Yellow Warblers and Swainson's
Thrushes, also showed up. Baltimore Orioles should also be on their way,
so keep a sharp eye out!
|
Click on map to enlarge. |
As the front moved eastward, migrants were forced down in my area. In
particular, there has been a big increase in the number of Indigo Buntings,
Wood Thrushes, and Scarlet Tanagers.
|
Blackburnian Warbler
copyright 2003
by Michael
Allen McDowell
Click on photo to see this gorgeous bird up close and personal! |
A student who is working with me was out yesterday and saw a Tennessee
Warbler (very appropriate), and a male Blackburnian Warbler, definitely
one of the most gorgeous birds you will ever see.
Farther west, where the winds have become southerly, many migrants have
also been seen the last couple of days. Nebraska, Illinois, and Ohio all
reported good numbers of Worm-eating Warblers, Wood Thrushes, and Hooded
Warblers.
So what does the coming week look like? Well, yet another cold front is
approaching the Gulf coast. With the rain and northerly winds, April 24
and 25 should be good birding days for Texas and Louisiana. We are entering
the peak of spring migration in the southern part of the US, so the potential
is there for some really good sightings. As the front moves east, the
southeastern US should look for fallouts over the weekend. By that time,
the winds farther west will have shifted, and people in the Midwest can
expect another influx of migrants. By the end of the weekend, the same
will be true for the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states. As I said before,
orioles should be arriving soon so be on the lookout. Take care.
David Aborn
Chattanooga, TN
Copyright 2003 Journey North. All Rights
Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
|