Northwest winds aloft and west winds at the surface early last night allowed for only a small pulse of eastbound migrants to move over the forecast area. This is most evident over the Pittsburgh radar where winds had less of a northerly component just after sunset. The velocity data confirms that these are birds, while the reflectivity information indicates that densities were low and birds were flying at low altitudes (reflectivity is concentrated close to the radar center where the beam is lowest to the ground). The Cleveland radar showed some very short-lived migration activity just after sunset with the main trajectory of these birds being W->E. Detroit indicated the least migration last night with only a very small number of birds being picked up on the radar after sunset. These as well were heading in an easterly direction before northwest winds shut everything down late last night.

Based on these observations I would expect a little turnover at Point Pelee NP and Magee Marsh in Ohio, but conditions should be consistent with yesterday overall. Wind and cold rain should move birds to sheltered parts of the landscape, and anywhere with sun exposure and wind protection should attract whomever is around today.

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

For migration updates in other regions check-

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - The Northwoods BIRDAR by Max Henschell
New England - Tom Auer’s blog
Florida/SE - Badbirdz Reloaded by Angel and Mariel Abreu
PA/Ohio Valley - Nemesis Bird by Drew Weber
NW Ohio - Birding the Crane Creek by Kenn Kaufman
Pac NW - Birds Over Portland by Greg Haworth
Continental US - eBird BirdCast Forecast & Report by Team eBird