Birding Forecast Cape May Bird Observatory
Map by Point Source using radar data from the National Weather Service , Radar 4 GIS

At-a-Glance Key

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mid-Atlantic Migration Forecast: 9/3 - 9/7
posted by David La Puma | 9:13 PM


At-a-Glance Forecast






















Wed.PMThu.AMThu.PMFri.AMFri.PMSat.AMSat.PMSun.AM


Heavy migration was evident over the mid-Atlantic on Saturday night, as TS Hanna cleared out faster than originally anticipated at last posting... an updated forecast will be posted later on Sunday evening...

Migration Weather Forecast


After four nights of heavy migration, things are finally winding down for awhile. Look on the bright side: now you can spend the weekend finding all the birds that showed up this week!

Wednesday Night

Although the surface winds will be light and southerly, the winds at 3000 feet are forecast to be light and northerly on Wednesday night. Expect light to moderate levels of migration over the mid-Atlantic.

Thursday - Saturday Nights

Two weather systems will eventually bring southerly flow to the area by the end of the week. First, a low pressure cell over Nova Scotia will move west and north and bring light south winds on Thursday night. The second low pressure system, the remnants of Hurricane Gustav, will make its way north and east across the country and make its presence felt in the mid-Atlantic on Friday. Winds on the east side of this low will be strong and southerly on Friday and Saturday nights, which will shut down nocturnal migration throughout the region. Late in the weekend the mid-Atlantic will experience some of the effects of hurricane Hanna. Right now strong southerly winds are forecast over the ocean on Saturday and Sunday, which could result in some interesting pelagic species showing up along the coastal mid-Atlantic.

Birding Forecast

Thursday Morning

Because of the heavy influx of migrants over the last four nights, and because of the light movement of new birds into the region on Wednesday night, the birding conditions across the region will be good on Thursday. Birds will be dispersed across the region on Thursday so choose a location known for attracting birds during fall migration. Don't expect much in terms of raptor migration since the winds will be turning southerly by morning.

Friday - Sunday Morning

Southerly flow over the region will shut down migration through the weekend. Birding conditions are very good right now, due to the huge influx of new birds over the last week, so get out there and bird before the weather gets ugly. On that note, strong southerly winds on Saturday and Sunday may bring tropical pelagic species close to mid-Atlantic shores, so if you can brave the conditions, head to the shore this weekend.

As always, to find more 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