While migration was hot and heavy for the Central and Mississippi flyways, and downright spectacular for the Eastern Flyway south of the Delmarva, a string of low pressure cells which drifted northwest over the region had a profound negative effect on migration into NJ. Here’s the radar from sunset last night through 5:00am this morning.
Frames are every 1/2 hour. Click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.
As you can see from the regional composite, heavy migration over eastern NY and all of NJ begins after sunset. As the low pressure systems pushed northwest, their strengthening counterclockwise winds appear to shut down migration in the early morning hours with most southbound activity completed by 1am. The combination of few birds launching off of the New England coast last night and the truncated migration event suggest that coastal hotspots will be lackluster this morning in terms of quantities of birds. Looking at the KDIX radar loop, you can see that as the south winds sweep across the region, birds drop out of the radar view presumably landing along this line. Therefore local hotspots south of Fort DIX should be checked today, although because the Pine Barrens makes up a significant portion of this area birds will probably be well dispersed throughout. Palmyra would be a good option along the Delaware River.
Southwest winds, while not ideal for migration, do have a tendency to bring interesting birds into the region. This seems to be especially true for Cape May, although there is probably some element of sampling bias… either way, if you’re down here today keep an eye out for the odd vagrant (bird, that is).
Good Birding
David
7 responses to “Migration under [low] pressure”
Good diversity at sandy hook today. A number of (at least 4) dickcissel (1 banded), at least 2 clay colored sparrows, wilson’s warbler, blackpolls, parulas, ruby-crowned kinglet, gray-cheeked thrush, red eyed vireo, western and yellow palms, to name some. A very cooperative Buff Breasted Sandpiper was at klot. Other birds I heard about but did not see were cape may warbler, tennessee warbler and blue grosbeak.
Interestingly, I was at the hook about 5:50 am and the only birds I heard were killdeer, but as the sun came up birds were on the move. I think the line of thunderstorms that hit us up here (at least in middletown/highlands) between 3-3:30 knocked everything down and the birds were dispersing around the hook, instead of landing on the hook at/near sunup.
cheers,
tom brown
Thanks Tom! A very interesting report… lots of birds on the move this time of year, I guess anything/anywhere is fair game with a little weather to bring them down. Cape May was hopping today. More than I would have expected based on the number of birds moving over the region last night- but again, west winds can be magic for this place and it doesn’t take a ton of birds to make for a spectacle on the ground! Thanks again for your report.
Cheers
David
Palmyra – mid afternoon. I figured I could always track down some thrushes. I never imagined the diversity and numbers. Very cloudy weather. Cool. Some drizzle. Migrant numbers:
2 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS
20 or so EASTERN PHOEBES
BLUE JAYS
3 HOUSE WRENS – I think migrants.
3 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS
3 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS
10 SWAINSON’S THRUSHES
2 VEERY
1 HERMIT THRUSH
ROBINS and CATBIRDS
1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO
2 PHILLY VIREOS
1 RED-EYED VIREO
1 TENNESSEE
1 ORANGE-CROWNED
2 NASHVILLE
6 PARULA
2 MAGNOLIA
8 BLACK-THROATED BLUES
6 YELLOW-RUMPED
1 BLACK-THROATED GREEN
10 or so PALMS
2 BAY-BREASTED
17 BLACKPOLLS
3 BLACK and WHITES
1 OVENBIRD
1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
15 or so COMMON YELLOWTHROATS
13 SCARLET TANAGERS
2 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS
2 EASTERN TOWHEES – again, I think migrants.
2 SWAMP SPARROWS
1 LINCOLN’S SPARROW
10 or so WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS
GOLDFINCHES
Awesome Sandy! Thanks for the report!
Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus, Hudson County
I arrived early before a Bergen Audubon walk. I stopped counting Northern Flickers flying in when I hit 100. We had approximately 40-50 more come in during the walk. Blue Jays were also moving, probably also in the hundreds. I had one Snow Goose grazing with Canadas, but someone saw one several days ago so I assume it didn’t just arrive.
During the walk, we had 4 (possibly 6) Bald Eagles fly through, a few Red-tails, at least one Kestrel, at least one Peregrine (possibly local), and a few Osprey. Warblers were scarce (Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and 1 Black-throated Green.)
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Harrier Meadow, North Arlington, Bergen County (restricted)
A small group of us were able to go over afterwards to look for the American Avocet (it’s on something like day 34… ever since Irene) – we were successful, and also had another 2 (possibly 3) Bald Eagles. And I had yet another Bald Eagle walking home to Lyndhurst.
So, in my corner of the world, it was Flicker-Jay-Eagle day. So at least we had *some* migrants up here. 🙂
… And I have belatedly realised that I just reported all daytime migrants to you. Oh well. *laugh* It’s been a long week.
No worries! It’s all interesting and I’m glad you spent the time reporting it. Thanks again.
D