NEXRAD radar image(s) [KDOX VEL1]

It’s true; birds are on the move tonight, since surface winds are light, westerly, and favorable; and even though the winds aloft are mostly out of the north. I guess “you gotta go when you gotta go”, and I’m sure there are plenty of birds in our area that were ready to go at sunset.

I’m going to presume that this is the push that takes the Fox Sparrows north and brings a few more of the early migrants up from the Delmarva, but by the way it looks there are more birds leaving than arriving. I also think that this is a small push of birds compared to what will come up our way tomorrow night- so make sure you follow along at home with the links provided on the right-hand sidebar of the site (since I’ll be away from my computer and unable to post tomorrow night). If tomorrow night’s migration looks dispersed across the landscape, head for known Spring migrant traps (such as Garret Mtn.); otherwise if heavy rain moves in, watch the radar for birds dropping out of view as they enter the precipitation…then go there.

On a more national note, the Central and Mississippi flyways have been like a migration superhighway, bringing birds up on southerly winds for over two straight weeks now. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the early birds are a result of these optimal conditions along the Gulf of Mexico and all points directly north of there. I’ll try and get a post off before I leave tomorrow morning- but if not, I hope to see some great reports when I get back (including my own, hopefully!).

Good Birding

David

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