Migration Recap

During the last two nights we've seen some heavy migration into the Mid-Atlantic, and it looks like it will continue through the weekend. Diversity is slowly changing from south to north, with the appearance of Northern Parulas, Prairie Warblers and Ovenbirds, and a good flight of Palm Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers all down in Cape May, NJ. Up in the northern part of the region, large flocks of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Song Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, and Northern Flickers are still being reported, but small numbers of Northern Rough-winged, Barn, and an odd Bank Swallow are providing signs that the Neotropical wave is about to wash over the entire region. It's a wonderful time to be birding in the Mid-Atlantic!

Migration Weather Forecast

Tonight

By Friday a second (and stronger) cold front will be approaching from the west. This will set up a strong southerly wind gradient along the east coast, and open up the potential for another big push into the region.

Saturday Night

By Saturday night the front should be parked right along the east coast and winds should switch around to westerly. The forecast is calling for precipitation, which may reduce the amount of birds on the wing overnight. For now it looks like the winds will be right for moderate levels of migration into the region, but will likely be tempered by the intensity of any precipitation.

Sunday Night

By Sunday night the front will push off the east coast and high pressure will build in from the northwest. Winds will be out of the north, effectively shutting down migration over the Mid-Atlantic.

Birding Forecast

Saturday Morning

More migration into the region coupled with some intense thunderstorms will mean new birds, increased diversity, and the possibility for fallout conditions where birds and weather intersect. The entire region will experience an influx of new birds by Saturday morning. Grab a raincoat and go birding!

Sunday Morning

Birding on Sunday morning will be good at worst, and great at best. If the precipitation causes birds to think twice about migrating, the same conditions that existed on Saturday morning will continue through the weekend. Should birds decide to migrate on the west/southwest winds, the region will experience the third successive influx of migrants, favoring all coastal locations as well as inland migrant traps.

Monday Morning

Monday might be the "nicest" day for birding, simply because the rain should have moved out, and the north winds on Sunday night will have precluded birds from leaving the region. For those of you who don't need to be at work on Monday morning, head to your favorite migrant trap!

For information on what's being seen TODAY in Cape May, check out the View From the Cape, on BirdCapeMay.org

Good Birding,

David La Puma