Neotropical Migratory Songbird Update: May 8, 1997

Bobolink, Winters South to Argentina
USFWS

• Latest Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration Update
• Latest Oriole Migration Update (Baltimore and Bullock's)

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  Weather Forecast for the Birds

  To:	Journey North
  From:	David Aborn
  Date:	May 8, 1997

  "Dear Students:

  "Last Friday, as predicted, a cold front moved through Texas. The winds shifted from the south to the north Friday night, so there should have been many birds around on Saturday. I was surprised to find out that this was not the case. I woke up Saturday morning to north winds blowing at 20-25 mph and 50 degree temperatures, but when I got into the field, there were very few birds. I saw 3 Wilson's Warblers (the first this season for this area), 2 Yellow Warblers, and a Warbling Vireo. Another person from Waco reported hearing some Least Flycatchers as well. Things were not much better along the Texas coast. There were a few orioles (both Baltimore and Bullock's) seen around Dallas. I'm not sure why there weren't more birds. It may be that the weather in Central and South America was bad, so not many birds took off for the US. It is also possible that winds blew the birds to another place along the Gulf Coast, such as Louisiana or Mississippi. In any case, it was a disappointment, but that's what happens sometimes.

  CNN

  

  "So what about this week? If you look at a weather map you will see another cold front moving in from the Pacific. It is expected to pass through Texas on Thursday, and reach the east coast by Saturday. Since the winds have been from the south since Sunday (good flying weather), birds should be forced to land when the front passes. However, the north winds behind the front are not supposed to be very strong, so I expect migrants will not be landing for long or in big numbers. Still, this is end of peak migration time, so I may be surprised. I'll let you know. Happy Birding!

  David Aborn
  David_Aborn@baylor.edu

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  SFSU

  This strong low pressure system moved into the Great Lakes region on May 5th. Remember that winds flow counterclockwise around a low, and low pressure systems are often accompanied by storms.

  How did this system affect migratory birds? Here are comments from an observer located on the south shore of Lake Erie, just east of Toledo, Ohio.

  "We had strong SW winds yesterday, May 5th. Temperatures were in the mid 60's and there was sun during the day, before the early evening storms hit. The warblers had been in profusion in the morning, but most had disappeared by early afternoon. Perhaps they took advantage of the winds and crossed Lake Erie to Pt. Pelee before the storms hit." Doris Stifel (dstifel@uoft02.utoledo.edu )
  Source: Monarch Watch Listserv

  Point Pelee is the southernmost tip of Canada, and is a peninsula that reaches 9 miles out into Lake Erie. After crossing 35 miles of open water, this peninsula is a welcomed landmark for migratory birds.

  The Next Neotropical Migratory Songbird Update Will be Posted on May 15, 1997.