Jetlag has set in (despite my best attempts to avoid it) as I arrived from New Zealand early this morning, but already I'm pouring over the latest weather and birding reports from around the Mid-Atlantic… spring migration is ramping up for sure!

Over the last three weeks we've seen American Woodcocks marching northwards, and more recently large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds have been making their way to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and into the northeastern US. Just this week Eastern Phoebes have been appearing across New Jersey (the first one was reported about two weeks ago), as have a few Pine Warblers, our 'early' warbler of spring here in the Garden State. Additionally, the winter specialties that have graced the Mid-Atlantic this year (such as Common Redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks, and Northern Shrikes) are still being seen, making this a great time for a 'mixed-bag' of birds at many locations. What will the next south winds bring us? Maybe a Louisiana Waterthrush? Some Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers? Maybe…

More than likely we'll see a good push of short-distance migrants, such as Fox Sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglets, etc., with a few more Phoebes thrown in, and the possibility of one of the aforementioned two early migrating species. This time last year we had good numbers of Fox Sparrows and Winter Wrens hanging around the state, many of which were putting on full vocal performances early in the morning. More than anything, this is a great time to get out in the field and listen to the dawn chorus as it develops and diversifies with each passing day. It looks like we'll have some good migration weather over the next few days, so get out there and enjoy the birds!

Migration Weather Forecast

Today – Thursday

Tonight a cold front is approaching from the Ohio Valley, which will mean steady southerly winds in advance of the front. Expect migration conditions to be favorable tonight across the Mid-Atlantic, although in the absence of precipitation, migrants will be dispersed across the landscape and therefore difficult to detect (see below).

Tomorrow the front will stall over the Mid-Atlantic, allowing high pressure build in and bring with it northwesterly winds to PA, DE, MD and NJ, while VA and NC will still be under southwesterly winds, and therefore should experience some migration. The front will move east and south during the day on Thursday, which will likely restrict migrating birds from entering the Mid-Atlantic.

The Weekend Outlook

A fast moving front will make its way across the region on Friday, and depending on the timing, could result in some southerly winds on Friday night, changing over to northerly as the front passes. Coupled with precipitation, this might provide the best opportunity to concentrate migrants along a frontal boundary… but trying to predict such events this far ahead is not very wise so we'll have to wait and see how the forecast shapes up later in the week. Once the front passes, north winds will build in behind it and keep migration to a minimum through the remainder of the weekend.

Birding Forecast

The migration conditions for this week suggest that little or no precipitation will affect migrating birds, therefore the best bets for birding will be the tried-and-true migration hotspots (such examples for New Jersey are Cape May in fall, and Garret Mountain in spring). Of course, this column focuses primarily on passerine migration, but as you know, many other birds are migrating in March as well. Large numbers of sea ducks (Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, etc.) are migrating just off shore, and can put on a spectacular show at locations such as Cape May. Loons, both Red-throated and Common, are also making their way north, and can gather in both coastal estuaries and inland ponds, sometimes in staggering numbers. Shorebirds as well are beginning to show up along the Delaware Bay and will be increasing throughout April and May as they head for their breeding grounds to the north.

One last note, If you have any questions regarding this column, or anything else regarding migration, please don't hesitate to drop me an email at david@woodcreeper.com

Good Birding,

David La Puma