National overview
High pressure over the Great Lakes Region shifted east yesterday, clearing the path for some more birds to make their way into the region. Birds continue to move up from the tropics via the Gulf states and Florida as well. Birds are coming!
Below are the radar loops from sunset last night through 5:00am (central time) this morning
Upper Midwest
Minnesota & Wisconsin
Frames are every 1/2 hour. click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.
Northwesterly flow across the northern part of the region resulted in little to no nocturnal migration over Duluth and the Twin Cities of MN. Migration was light as well over the northern half of Wisconsin. Farther south, though, birds could be seen pushing into Southern and Central Wisconsin.
Iowa & Illinois
Frames are every 1/2 hour. click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.
Both the Davenport, IA and Chicago, IL radars showed moderate movements of migrants heading north last night, with the heaviest movements continuing to come in from farther south.
Birders in the southern portion of the forecast zone should see some new birds this morning, especially at tried and true spring migrant traps. Expect migration to kick up again tonight as southerly flow to our south continues to convey them into the region. Northwest winds are expected late tonight and into tomorrow which will likely shut migration down wherever and whenever those winds build in… so stay tuned to see how it plays out on the radar!
As always, woodcreeper.com depends on you to report your sightings and be our ‘eyes on the ground’, so please come back and give us an idea of how we’re doing predicting birding conditions in your neck of the woods.
Good Birding,
David
2 responses to “Another push of migrants into the Midwest”
Appeared to be some migration into the Kaukauna, Outagamie County area overnight. Had FOY Tree Swallow, Blue-wing Teal and Pie billed Grebe at 1000 Islands today, none of which were there yesterday. Had a few good groups of Tundra Swans flying over as well. Let the fun begin!
Tony- EXCELLENT REPORT! My spam filter was working ‘too well’ since I got the site back up- so I’m just seeing this comment today. Please keep the reports coming, especially when you know the conditions on the days before your report (like this one).
Good Birding!
David