National Overview

The progression continues as southerly flow dominates from Mexico to the Great Lakes. Migration densities continue to be high across the south from Texas to Florida, but increased markedly in the Upper Midwest as more birds made their way north over the last few nights. I’m keeping it brief because, well, it’s LATE and you should be birding. Before I go on, though, please consider coming back to the site and reporting your sightings in the comments section. It would be great to know what you’re seeing and how it relates to the radar!

Below are the radar loops from sunset last night through 5:00am this morning

NEW JERSEY

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

Not much going on over the Garden State last night as migration across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic was very quiet. A few birds appear to have sneaked up the western side of the state, but otherwise I don’t expect much in terms of new birds today. The real action was further west and south.

WISCONSIN

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

Oh yeah! Contrary to the Northeast, the Midwest was really cooking last night, with moderate to heavy migration apparent across the region. Looking at the two Southern Wisconsin radars we see clear migration bloom after sunset with highly directional flight on a S->N trajectory. With not appreciable weather factors to cause a fallout of birds, expect birds to be dispersed across the landscape this morning. Head for the tried-and-true spring migration hotspots for the best chance of diversity and density. Early migrants will be the norm so keep an eye out for increasing numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes, Meadowlarks, and Towhees, sparrows of several flavors, and the possibility of an early arrival or two of something less typical.

Here we go!!

Good Birding

David