Migration Weather Forecast

Baby it's cold outside.

Have you noticed the foliage changing before your very eyes? The Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy began a couple of weeks ago, but just in the last few days the Red Maples, Flowering Dogwoods, and even the Oaks are beginning to put on a show. If you've been out birding, you probably noticed another color shift as well. Neotropical migrants such as warblers, tanagers, and orioles, are rapidly being replaced by both kinglets, a diverse array of sparrows and the first hermit thrushes. Fall is the time of large blackbird flocks, big showings of Northern Flickers and American Robins, and the first appearances of wintering owls.

Saturday Night

High pressure is still the dominant factor for this weekend and early next week, meaning that clear skies and northerly winds will clear the path for fall migrants. Expect northeasterly winds on Saturday night to trigger heavy migration over the mid-Atlantic.

Sunday Night

Winds will go slack on Sunday night, with surface winds blowing light southwesterly. This shouldn't hinder migrants, though, as the winds aloft over the Northeastern US will be blowing out of the northwest. This lack of tailwind should insure that fewer birds depart the region, while a new wave of birds enters from the north.

Monday Night

Northwest winds should build in by Monday night, triggering another night of heavy migration into the region.

Tuesday Night

Winds will turn west/southwest on Thursday night as the next cold front approaches from the west. No migration is expected.

Birding Forecast

Saturday Morning

Heavy migration on Friday night will lead to a good influx of new birds into the mid-Atlantic on Saturday. Inland sites will be favored due to the strong east/northeast winds on Saturday morning.

Sunday Morning

Another night of northeasterly winds will benefit inland sites on Sunday morning. No weather is expected to concentrate birds, so inland migrant traps will be the best bet. Also consider inland hawkwatches as the conditions will be favorable for a decent flight, and you might just catch a glimpse of a Golden Eagle or Northern Goshawk overhead.

Monday Morning

With light southwest winds on the surface, and a heavy influx of birds from the northeastern US, all migrant traps throughout the region should see new birds on Monday.

Tuesday Morning

Strong northwest winds extending way up into northwestern NY will favor coastal hotspots throughout the mid-Atlantic on Tuesday morning, bringing a nice new crop of birds into the region.Cape May should he hopping on Tuesday.

Wednesday Morning

With migration conditions deteriorating on Tuesday night, don't expect any new arrivals on Wednesday morning. That said, there are plenty of birds around, so check your local birding report to see what's being seen and where.

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