Migration Recap

Nice clear skies, favorable winds, and a lack of precipitation set the stage for heavy migration over the mid-Atlantic this past weekend. Reports across the region ranged from big pushes of short-distance migrants such as White-throated Sparrows and Golden-crowned Kinglets, large numbers of early migrants such as Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, to the new arrivals of long-distance migrants such as Eastern Kingbird, Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireo, House Wren, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Yellow warblers. Excellent migration conditions often results in only moderately good birding conditions since birds are moving maximum distances and dispersing across the landscape when landing in the morning. For this reason it's best to choose 'spring migration hotspots' on the mornings following heavy, unimpeded migration. These locations attract migrants due to their topography or geographic location (in relation to the general migration patterns along specific flyways) in combination with their quality of stopover foraging habitat. Some examples are Sandy Hook, a large spit of land extending north from the northeast coast of New Jersey, Garret Mountain, another New Jersey gem at the northeast end of the Watchung mountains, and New York City's Central Park, an 'island' of quality habitat in a 'sea' of urbanization; Of course each of these locations has it's own optimal conditions for attracting migrants, but all of them will produce better on-average birding conditions during the spring. If you don't already have them staked out, check with your local Audubon Society or birding club to find out the name and location of your nearest spring hotspot, and get ready to head there after the next big flight!

Migration Weather Forecast

Sunday Night

Low pressure moving slowly eastward across North Carolina is interacting with high pressure over the mid-Atlantic, causing an easterly flow over most of the region. Stormy weather to the south and less-than-optimal winds to the north are stifling migration tonight.

Monday Night

The low is expected to track slowly to the south and east during the early part of the week, bringing with it more unstable weather and uncooperative winds. Therefore the migration forecast for Monday night is looking very similar to Sunday night, with little to none expected.

Tuesday Night

By Tuesday the low should be south of the Delmarva Peninsula, taking with it any unstable weather. The current wind forecast for the Delmarva includes a northeasterly component, which would not bode well for migration. Should the winds lighten up, or should migrants become restless after several nights of poor conditions, we might see a push into the region as early as Tuesday night.

Wednesday Night

A weak cold front will reach the region on Wednesday night, increasing the potential for migration. So far there is no precipitation associated with the front so migrants will likely be distributed across the landscape on Thursday.

Birding Forecast

Monday - Wednesday

Migration is on hold for the early part of the week, but after several nights of heavy movement there are still plenty of birds across the region yet to be found. Mild temperatures and partly sunny days, combined with lots of birds, makes for some very nice birding conditions! Add to that some easterly winds to push ocean-going species closer to shore, or push migrating diurnal raptors inland, and I'm starting to consider playing hooky myself.

Thursday Morning

If the cold front scenario plays out on Wednesday night, we could see a push of birds both out-of and into the region by Thursday morning. The best locations will depend on the dominant wind direction during the migration event. Given the lack of precipitation in the forecast, the potential for fallout conditions is low, with birding conditions being best at spring migration hotspots.

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