More birds moved into the state last night, as another evening of light winds and clear skies gave the green light for migration. Here’s the radar from sunset last night through 5:30am this morning. It should be noted that birds were still migrating over New Jersey as of 6:00am.

Frames are every 1/2 hour for reflectivity and velocity, and every hour for the regional composite. Click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.

The velocity images show a migration trajectory of SSW–>NNE throughout most of the night, while the reflectivity images show heavy migration in the first half of the evening, decreasing to moderate levels by 2am. Birds continue to migrate over the state as of 6:00am, with obvious signals over the NW coast (crossing over to Long Island, NY), over Delaware Bay (making landfall over the northern Delaware Bay shore), and still good numbers over the Northwest portion of the state (presumably going to land in the Highlands of New Jersey and New York. It is reasonable to expect the coastal overshoots to reverse directions at first light, making Sandy Hook a good location this morning (even given the light NE winds). Otherwise, migrants will most likely be dispersed across the landscape. Tried-and-true spring migration hotspots will be the best bet. Your reports from the field are always appreciated since birding conditions from these types of migration events are hardest to predict (spatially, at least).

Good Birding

David

P.S. Come check out my migration forecast for the Mid-Atlantic on Birdcapemay.org

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