Moderate levels of migration crossed paths with heavy rain early this AM, which should result in a notable presence of new birds on the ground today. Here’s the radar from 6:00pm last night through 6:00am this morning.

Frames are every 1/2 hour. Click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.

Favorable conditions last night opened the door for migrants across all three major flyways. Locally (NY/NJ/PA) winds were light and variable just after sunset, which resulted in a moderate push of migrants into and out of the region. During the night, though, a band of thunderstorms associated with a stalled frontal boundary made their way across NJ. All NJ radars indicated truncated migration soon thereafter (between 2 and 3am). Since migration was heaviest to our north (the NY radar indicated the highest densities leaving Long Island and presumably making landfall along the NJ coast) I would expect birding conditions to be best in Central NJ. Given the ENE wind flow over the region, interior locations would be favored this morning (Chimney Rock would be a good place to check, as might Garret Mountain first thing in the morning). The buoy off of Sandy Hook indicated ENE winds, which usually means birds making landfall on The Hook will quickly head inland in search of better foraging habitat. It’s possible that those on The Hook first thing this morning could have a nice flight, but it will likely be short-lived.

East winds at Cape May will favor the Delaware Bay shore over Higbee’s Beach this morning.

Thanks to Brian, Tom, Rob, Sandra, and Peter for updating us on local conditions. It’s contributions like theirs that make this site truly valuable to others. I hope to see more from each of you, as well as the other 600 people who visited this week. You Rock!

Good Birding

David