Forecast and Analysis

Regional Migration Analysis: 12-19 September 2014

Andrew Farnsworth The Cornell Lab Sep 18, 2014

Continental Summary

Light to moderate movements were the norm across the West, despite precipitation shutting down migrants in some areas, while moderate to locally heavy movements pulsed through the East. Species on the move this week included Greater White-fronted Goose, Dunlin, Northern Flicker, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, American Pipit, Gray Catbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird.

West

Widespread light to moderate movements began the period, but increasing though scattered showers shut down movements by Tuesday night in the Desert Southwest. Note, however, that the eastern front of the Rockies was quite active through much of the period, which moderate movements on many nights. The remainder of the forecast period saw scattered precipitation continues in several areas of the region, but returns of light to moderate flights where precipitation was not or did not fall. Species on the move this week included Golden-crowned Sparrow, Greater White-fronted Goose, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Dunlin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Palm Warbler, Cackling Goose, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Say’s Phoebe.

Great Plains

Light to moderate movements were scattered across the region for almost the entirety of the forecast period, with particularly extensive movements on Monday and to a lesser extent Saturday nights. Although more localized in extent, Saturday night’s movements features some locally heavy flights. The period ended with unfavorable conditions in many areas shutting down most flights. Species on the move this week included White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Savannah Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Harris’s Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Winter Wren, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Swamp Sparrow, and Franklin’s Gull.

Upper Midwest and Northeast

Moderate to locally heavy movements occurred on every day of the period, although the extent of these movements varied based largely on the distribution of precipitation. Friday and Sunday nights were most extensive, with more locally intense flights occurring in the Ohio River valley and Upper Midwest on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. Species on the move this week included Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Swamp Sparrow, Winter Wren, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Brown Creeper, Rusty Blackbird, American Pipit, Fox Sparrow, and Blue-headed Vireo.

Gulf Coast and Southeast

Light to moderate movements occurred across the region during the period, but precipitation scattered primarily in coastal locations and associated unfavorable winds shut down movements on some nights. This was particularly true for peninsular Florida on Sunday and Tuesday nights, and for portions of Texas and Gulf Coast for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Note that locally heavy flights did occur, primarily on Saturday and Sunday nights in Texas, and also locally in the southeastern US on Monday and Tuesday nights. Species on the move this week included Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Peregrine Falcon, Palm Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Merlin, American Kestrel, Gray Catbird, Savannah Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Flicker, Northern Harrier, and Marsh Wren.

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