Forecast and Analysis

Regional Migration Forecast: 31 March – 7 April 2017

Andrew Farnsworth The Cornell Lab Mar 31, 2017

Eastern Towhee. Jeff Peters/Macaulay Library. eBird S35379426.

Continental Summary

Mostly unfavorable conditions for migration dominate in the West, restricting light to moderate flights of Green Heron, Black-bellied Plover, Ash-throated Flycatcher, American Pipit, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Golden-crowned Sparrow to late in the period or local distributions, while mid and late period southerly flow will bring an influx of Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Barn Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Palm Warbler, Summer Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, and Blue Grosbeak in moderate to locally heavy movements. Fallout potential on the Gulf Coast arrives on Monday and Tuesday in mid to eastern Gulf states and again on Thursday and Friday with the passage of significant frontal boundaries.

Wondering what species are migrating through right now? Check out our analysis for the past 7 days.

Arrows show wind speed and direction (arrow points in the direction to which wind is blowing) 100 m above ground level. Areas with southerly winds are colored red; northerly winds colored blue. Accumulated precipitation (in 6 hour intervals) is green, outlined by white. Broadly speaking, areas of the map in red will experience conditions that are favorable for migration, and areas where red and green (and red and blue) intersect and overlap may experience migrant concentrations and fallouts as migrants interact with precipitation.

We use data collected by eBird users help make more accurate forecasts. If you enjoy the predictions contained in these posts, please consider submitting your own bird sightings to eBird to even further improve the content. Every observation counts, whether it be a single bird at a feeder in your backyard, or an entire day spent in a national park. To get started with eBird, head on over to the site!

Please note that photographs and other digital media showing birds come from the Macaulay Library, which receives credit along with the photographer/observer in the media caption as part of a new initiative that allows public contribution, access and use of natural history media.

Finally, and new for Spring 2017, our friend Kyle Horton of the Radar Aeroecology Lab at Oklahoma University created a new set of images depicting spring bird movements in the Gulf of Mexico region as part of an analysis that he is leading as part of our ongoing collaboration. This feature appears in the Gulf Coast and Southeast region forecast.

Need a review of our definitions for regions, species on the move, and migration amounts? Please visit this link.

Quick Links to Regions

Upper Midwest and NortheastBirdCast Upper Midwest and Northeast Region Gulf Coast and SoutheastBirdCast Upper Southeast Region
Great Plainsbirdcast_plains West
BirdCast West Region

Upper Midwest and Northeast

Low pressure moving through the region brings a cool and wet end of the week and a dearth of migrants to kick off the period. By Sunday night a warming trend brings moderate flights from the Midwest to the mid Atlantic. This pulse of movements expands to the east in advance of another low pressure center for Monday night. Aside from moderate flights in New England on Tuesday, this system shuts down flights in most other parts of the region. Wednesday and Thursday night see the arrival of favorable migration conditions, with moderate to locally heavy flights likely. Some of these flights will encounter precipitation, making the potential for local fallouts and concentrations on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Mary Catherine Miguez/Macaulay Library. eBird S35423391.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Wilson's Snipe *** 3/10 4/4 4/13 4/29 5/10
Brown-headed Cowbird ****! 3/11 4/6 5/3 5/11 After Jun 30
Eastern Phoebe ****! 3/12 4/1 4/10 4/14 6/2
Blue-winged Teal *** 3/14 3/31 4/19 4/30 5/10
Osprey *** 3/15 4/1 4/20 5/1 5/8
Cooper's Hawk * 3/15 4/6 4/26 5/11 5/25
Bonaparte's Gull *** 3/15 4/1 4/11 4/20 5/5
Double-crested Cormorant *** 3/19 4/1 4/20 5/30 6/7
Great Egret *** 3/23 3/31 5/12 5/29 6/3
Greater Yellowlegs *** 3/25 4/13 4/26 5/19 5/29
Black-crowned Night-Heron * 3/27 5/8 5/20 5/29 6/1
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 3/27 4/10 4/26 5/7 5/17
Lesser Yellowlegs *** 3/28 4/14 5/4 5/18 5/26
Belted Kingfisher *** 3/28 4/7 4/16 5/6 5/12
Tree Swallow ****! 3/28 4/1 5/7 6/24 6/26
Vesper Sparrow ** 3/28 4/6 6/11 6/19 6/22
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 3/29 4/3 4/13 4/23 4/27
Purple Martin *** 3/29 4/11 5/17 6/1 6/8
Brown Creeper *** 3/29 4/3 4/10 4/23 5/8
Winter Wren *** 3/29 4/4 4/13 4/23 5/11
Louisiana Waterthrush *** 3/29 4/6 4/30 5/14 6/17
Northern Flicker ****! 3/30 4/8 4/18 5/9 5/15
Golden-crowned Kinglet ****! 3/30 4/3 4/9 4/16 4/24
Field Sparrow *** 3/30 4/9 4/28 5/9 6/18
Northern Rough-winged Swallow *** 3/31 4/16 5/1 5/20 5/29
Pine Warbler *** 3/31 4/9 4/24 5/8 5/15
Caspian Tern *** 4/1 4/9 4/28 5/20 6/4
Forster's Tern ** 4/1 4/12 5/10 5/22 6/4
Yellow-throated Warbler *** 4/1 4/8 4/26 5/2 5/19
Chipping Sparrow ****! 4/1 4/11 5/3 5/10 5/14
Purple Finch *** 4/1 4/13 4/25 5/4 5/11
Hermit Thrush ****! 4/2 4/6 4/19 5/7 5/11
Palm Warbler *** 4/3 4/25 5/4 5/19 5/23
Swamp Sparrow *** 4/3 4/11 5/2 5/9 5/25
Eastern Towhee ****! 4/3 4/15 5/2 5/9 5/16
Brown Thrasher *** 4/4 4/11 5/1 5/9 5/13
Savannah Sparrow *** 4/4 4/13 5/6 5/24 6/21
Barn Swallow ****! 4/5 4/24 5/19 5/29 6/6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ****! 4/5 4/16 5/4 5/11 5/29
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ****! 4/6 4/11 4/24 5/8 5/13

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
American Coot ** 3/2 3/7 4/4 4/29 5/21
Killdeer *** 3/2 3/8 4/1 4/9 6/5
Northern Shoveler *** 3/2 3/9 4/3 4/28 5/8
Red-winged Blackbird *** 3/2 3/9 5/6 5/28 6/25
Green-winged Teal *** 3/2 3/10 4/2 4/30 5/11
Ruddy Duck * 3/2 3/10 4/1 4/29 5/8
Common Grackle *** 3/4 3/10 5/19 6/24 After Jun 30
Rusty Blackbird ** 3/7 3/11 4/9 5/4 5/11
Fox Sparrow *** 3/10 3/12 4/6 4/20 4/27
Song Sparrow ****! 3/7 3/13 4/10 5/10 6/24
Dark-eyed Junco ** 3/12 3/14 4/5 4/24 5/2
Pied-billed Grebe *** 3/8 3/20 4/10 4/28 5/7
Great Blue Heron *** 3/9 3/22 5/12 5/30 6/7
Common Loon *** 3/17 3/26 4/12 4/22 6/4
American Kestrel ** 3/17 3/27 4/10 4/29 5/9
Northern Harrier * 3/18 3/28 4/6 4/28 5/9
Pectoral Sandpiper * 3/20 3/29 4/18 5/23 6/5
Blue-winged Teal *** 3/14 3/31 4/19 4/30 5/10
Great Egret *** 3/23 3/31 5/12 5/29 6/3
Double-crested Cormorant *** 3/19 4/1 4/20 5/30 6/7
Osprey *** 3/15 4/1 4/20 5/1 5/8
Bonaparte's Gull ** 3/15 4/1 4/11 4/20 5/5
Eastern Phoebe ****! 3/12 4/1 4/10 4/14 6/2
Tree Swallow *** 3/28 4/1 5/7 6/24 6/26
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 3/29 4/3 4/13 4/23 4/27
Brown Creeper *** 3/29 4/3 4/10 4/23 5/8
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** 3/30 4/3 4/9 4/16 4/24
Wilson's Snipe ** 3/10 4/4 4/13 4/29 5/10
Winter Wren ** 3/29 4/4 4/13 4/23 5/11
Cooper's Hawk * 3/15 4/6 4/26 5/11 5/25
Hermit Thrush *** 4/2 4/6 4/19 5/7 5/11
Louisiana Waterthrush ** 3/29 4/6 4/30 5/14 6/17
Vesper Sparrow * 3/28 4/6 6/11 6/19 6/22
Brown-headed Cowbird *** 3/11 4/6 5/3 5/11 After Jun 30
Belted Kingfisher *** 3/28 4/7 4/16 5/6 5/12

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
American Black Duck *** - - Before Mar 1 4/10 4/24
Greater Scaup ** - - Before Mar 1 4/8 5/2
American Tree Sparrow *** - - Before Mar 1 4/16 5/3
Common Redpoll * - - Before Mar 1 4/17 5/3
Common Goldeneye *** 3/2 3/3 3/5 4/2 4/17
Snow Goose ** 3/2 3/6 3/9 4/1 4/12
Canvasback ** 3/2 3/3 3/10 4/3 4/20
Common Merganser *** 3/2 3/4 3/10 4/9 4/23
Bald Eagle * 3/5 3/7 3/10 5/28 6/7
Northern Pintail ** 3/2 3/6 3/11 4/5 4/15
Redhead ** 3/2 3/3 3/11 4/1 4/30
Ring-billed Gull *** 3/2 3/6 3/12 4/8 4/28
Tundra Swan ** 3/2 3/6 3/13 4/8 4/16
American Wigeon *** 3/2 3/8 3/18 4/9 4/25
Gadwall ** 3/2 3/9 3/20 4/8 5/4
Ring-necked Duck *** 3/2 3/10 3/21 4/10 4/29
Red-breasted Merganser ** 3/2 3/6 3/21 4/12 5/11
Hooded Merganser *** 3/2 3/9 3/23 4/8 4/16
Lesser Scaup *** 3/2 3/6 3/25 4/10 5/8
Horned Grebe ** 3/2 3/12 3/25 4/15 5/9
Bufflehead *** 3/2 3/9 3/30 4/17 5/9
Ruddy Duck ** 3/2 3/10 4/1 4/29 5/8
Killdeer *** 3/2 3/8 4/1 4/9 6/5
Green-winged Teal *** 3/2 3/10 4/2 4/30 5/11
Northern Shoveler *** 3/2 3/9 4/3 4/28 5/8
American Coot *** 3/2 3/7 4/4 4/29 5/21
Dark-eyed Junco *** 3/12 3/14 4/5 4/24 5/2
Northern Harrier ** 3/18 3/28 4/6 4/28 5/9
Fox Sparrow *** 3/10 3/12 4/6 4/20 4/27

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Rough-legged Hawk * - - Before Mar 1 3/3 4/15
Horned Lark * - - Before Mar 1 3/15 After Jun 30
American Woodcock * 3/5 3/10 3/16 3/22 5/30
Snow Goose ** 3/2 3/6 3/9 4/1 4/12
Redhead ** 3/2 3/3 3/11 4/1 4/30
Common Goldeneye *** 3/2 3/3 3/5 4/2 4/17
Canvasback ** 3/2 3/3 3/10 4/3 4/20
Northern Pintail *** 3/2 3/6 3/11 4/5 4/15

Gulf Coast and Southeast

Moderate to heavy flights grace the region west of the Mississippi River to begin the period. Sunday brings the potential for fallouts of trans-Gulf migrants to the Texas and Louisiana coasts, as conditions for takeoff from points south are favorable and precipitation is forecast to cross into the Gulf of Mexico. Sunday night sees more widespread favorable conditions, with moderate to heavy flights to the east of the frontal boundary pushing over the water. The fallout potential shifts east on Monday and Tuesday, as the front moves toward and then over Florida. A second frontal passage is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with the potential for fallouts in the eastern Gulf states and Florida for Thursday and Friday. Migration in the wake of these passages will be localized and light, with most birds remaining on the ground where they arrive.

Whimbrel. Cuneyt Yilmaz/Macaulay Library. eBird S35414659.

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron ** 3/2 4/9 5/1 5/16 5/20
Long-billed Dowitcher * 3/2 4/13 4/23 5/5 5/15
Laughing Gull *** 3/2 4/12 4/20 5/1 5/7
Royal Tern ** 3/2 4/6 4/19 4/30 5/6
Marsh Wren * 3/6 4/13 4/19 4/30 5/8
Sora * 3/7 4/9 4/22 5/1 5/15
Lesser Yellowlegs ** 3/7 4/13 4/25 5/7 5/24
Black-and-white Warbler *** 3/7 4/17 4/27 5/7 5/17
Willet ** 3/8 4/12 4/19 4/30 5/7
Cliff Swallow *** 3/12 4/4 5/12 5/20 6/17
Short-billed Dowitcher * 3/13 4/13 4/20 5/4 5/21
Gull-billed Tern * 3/15 4/10 4/18 5/2 5/8
Sandwich Tern ** 3/15 4/13 4/19 4/30 5/7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** 3/15 4/6 4/26 5/17 5/23
Ash-throated Flycatcher * 3/15 4/6 5/24 5/31 6/3
Stilt Sandpiper * 3/16 4/14 4/30 5/19 5/26
Lark Sparrow ** 3/16 4/6 5/1 5/29 After Jun 30
White-throated Sparrow *** 3/16 4/7 4/11 4/29 5/9
Caspian Tern * 3/17 4/13 4/19 5/2 5/8
Cattle Egret *** 3/18 4/5 4/21 5/2 5/8
American Avocet * 3/19 4/10 4/19 5/5 5/11
Prairie Warbler *** 3/22 4/3 4/18 4/26 6/18
White-faced Ibis * 3/23 4/14 4/25 5/3 5/8
Chimney Swift ****! 3/23 4/2 5/11 5/25 5/29
Prothonotary Warbler *** 3/25 4/5 4/18 4/22 6/26
Green Heron *** 3/26 4/10 4/28 5/18 5/22
Least Tern *** 3/27 4/12 4/23 4/30 5/6
Eastern Kingbird *** 3/27 4/8 4/29 5/18 5/24
Franklin's Gull ** 3/28 4/5 4/19 5/2 5/23
Great Crested Flycatcher ****! 3/28 4/20 5/8 6/9 After Jun 30
Semipalmated Sandpiper ** 3/29 4/18 5/14 5/31 6/9
Chuck-will's-widow ** 3/29 4/10 4/24 6/25 After Jun 30
Sanderling * 3/30 4/13 4/19 5/30 6/7
Brown-crested Flycatcher ** 3/31 4/17 4/23 5/31 6/4
Bank Swallow ** 3/31 4/18 5/2 5/19 5/26
Orchard Oriole ****! 3/31 4/13 4/26 5/17 6/19
Fulvous Whistling-Duck * 4/1 4/13 4/24 5/3 5/9
Solitary Sandpiper *** 4/1 4/15 4/26 5/9 5/19
Red-eyed Vireo ****! 4/1 4/15 5/12 5/24 After Jun 30
Blue-winged Warbler *** 4/1 4/4 4/19 4/29 5/4
Bronzed Cowbird ** 4/2 4/13 4/27 5/31 6/4
Worm-eating Warbler *** 4/3 4/5 4/19 4/29 5/2
Kentucky Warbler *** 4/3 4/14 4/21 After Jun 30 -
Cerulean Warbler ** 4/3 4/13 4/20 4/30 5/5
Summer Tanager ****! 4/3 4/15 4/25 4/30 5/17
Indigo Bunting ****! 4/3 4/16 4/27 5/10 6/23
Whimbrel *** 4/5 4/11 4/25 5/4 6/1
Bell's Vireo ** 4/5 4/17 4/28 6/1 6/9
Warbling Vireo *** 4/5 4/13 5/2 5/17 5/23
Nashville Warbler *** 4/5 4/13 4/26 5/8 5/19
Common Yellowthroat *** 4/5 4/15 5/2 5/16 5/24
Bullock's Oriole * 4/5 4/17 5/24 5/31 After Jun 30
Western Kingbird *** 4/7 4/20 5/10 5/30 6/2
Blue Grosbeak ****! 4/7 4/17 4/27 6/21 6/24

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Brown Pelican * - 3/2 4/17 4/30 5/6
Blue-headed Vireo * 3/2 3/3 4/8 5/10 5/26
Western Sandpiper * 3/2 3/7 4/14 5/22 5/31
Lincoln's Sparrow ** 3/2 3/7 4/16 5/8 5/17
Yellow-throated Warbler *** 3/2 3/8 4/9 4/25 After Jun 30
Greater Yellowlegs * 3/2 3/10 4/1 5/3 5/18
Northern Parula *** 3/2 3/15 4/18 5/10 6/25
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ** 3/8 3/17 4/24 5/2 5/7
Black-necked Stilt *** 3/9 3/17 4/21 5/2 5/9
Black-chinned Hummingbird ** 3/2 3/17 5/4 5/24 6/2
Chipping Sparrow ** 3/9 3/18 4/1 4/16 5/16
Brown-headed Cowbird *** 3/7 3/18 4/29 5/23 After Jun 30
Blue-winged Teal ** 3/2 3/22 4/4 5/1 5/23
White-eyed Vireo *** 3/6 3/22 4/15 6/13 6/26
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** 3/2 3/22 5/1 5/12 After Jun 30
Purple Martin ** 3/16 3/22 6/22 After Jun 30 -
Barn Swallow *** 3/10 3/22 5/2 5/19 5/27
Louisiana Waterthrush *** 3/14 3/22 4/2 5/24 6/13
Pectoral Sandpiper * 3/2 3/23 4/28 5/18 5/28
Yellow-throated Vireo *** 3/13 3/24 4/22 After Jun 30 -
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 3/17 3/24 4/8 4/18 6/26
Hooded Warbler *** 3/17 3/24 4/19 4/29 5/10
Broad-winged Hawk *** 3/19 3/26 4/13 4/24 5/26
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 3/16 3/26 5/12 5/30 After Jun 30
House Wren * 3/18 3/27 4/14 4/26 5/18
Upland Sandpiper ** 3/21 3/28 4/12 5/5 5/12
Swainson's Hawk ** 3/17 3/29 4/18 5/6 6/1
Baird's Sandpiper * 3/9 3/29 5/3 5/19 5/28
Pine Siskin * 3/26 3/29 4/5 5/12 5/18
Chimney Swift *** 3/23 4/2 5/11 5/25 5/29
Prairie Warbler *** 3/22 4/3 4/18 4/26 6/18
Cliff Swallow *** 3/12 4/4 5/12 5/20 6/17
Blue-winged Warbler *** 4/1 4/4 4/19 4/29 5/4
Cattle Egret *** 3/18 4/5 4/21 5/2 5/8
Franklin's Gull ** 3/28 4/5 4/19 5/2 5/23
Worm-eating Warbler *** 4/3 4/5 4/19 4/29 5/2
Prothonotary Warbler *** 3/25 4/5 4/18 4/22 6/26
Royal Tern ** 3/2 4/6 4/19 4/30 5/6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** 3/15 4/6 4/26 5/17 5/23
Ash-throated Flycatcher * 3/15 4/6 5/24 5/31 6/3
Lark Sparrow ** 3/16 4/6 5/1 5/29 After Jun 30
White-throated Sparrow *** 3/16 4/7 4/11 4/29 5/9

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Gadwall *** - - Before Mar 1 3/31 4/17
Cinnamon Teal * - - Before Mar 1 4/10 5/8
Northern Shoveler ** - - Before Mar 1 4/28 5/21
Green-winged Teal ** - - Before Mar 1 4/9 4/23
Lesser Scaup *** - - Before Mar 1 4/2 4/16
Bufflehead ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/14
Red-breasted Merganser * - - Before Mar 1 4/20 5/11
Pied-billed Grebe *** - - Before Mar 1 4/13 5/5
American White Pelican ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/1
Great Blue Heron ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/23
Northern Harrier *** - - Before Mar 1 4/26 5/8
Sharp-shinned Hawk * - - Before Mar 1 4/28 5/10
Bald Eagle ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/22
American Coot *** - - Before Mar 1 4/29 5/16
Herring Gull * - - Before Mar 1 4/28 5/6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/16
American Kestrel *** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/12
Orange-crowned Warbler ** - - Before Mar 1 4/28 5/11
Dark-eyed Junco *** - - Before Mar 1 4/4 4/14
Song Sparrow *** - - Before Mar 1 4/3 4/16
Palm Warbler *** - 3/2 3/6 5/5 5/12
Belted Kingfisher *** 3/5 3/6 3/7 4/15 4/29
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 3/2 3/4 3/7 4/1 5/13
Wilson's Snipe * 3/5 3/6 3/8 4/5 5/5
Common Gallinule * - 3/2 3/9 5/1 5/9
Bonaparte's Gull * 3/2 3/3 3/9 4/6 4/16
Northern Flicker *** 3/2 3/6 3/9 4/5 4/17
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** - 3/2 3/9 4/5 4/11
Double-crested Cormorant *** 3/2 3/7 3/10 4/9 5/8
Swamp Sparrow ** 3/2 3/6 3/10 4/28 5/6
Cooper's Hawk * 3/2 3/3 3/11 4/17 5/20
Savannah Sparrow *** 3/7 3/9 3/13 5/10 5/18
Osprey *** 3/2 3/7 3/14 4/27 5/3
Vesper Sparrow * 3/7 3/10 3/15 5/5 5/15
Long-billed Curlew * 3/2 3/11 3/16 4/29 5/12
Forster's Tern * 3/7 3/9 3/16 5/1 5/11
Spotted Towhee * 3/2 3/11 3/21 4/28 5/10
Hermit Thrush *** 3/14 3/17 3/23 4/9 4/20
Tree Swallow *** 3/17 3/22 3/25 3/31 5/24
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 3/2 3/7 3/25 4/21 5/3
Common Loon ** 3/18 3/22 3/27 4/7 5/2
Couch's Kingbird * 3/2 3/12 3/27 5/1 5/30
Cedar Waxwing *** 3/2 3/20 3/27 5/22 5/28
American Golden-Plover * 3/2 3/22 3/29 5/1 5/13
Greater Yellowlegs ** 3/2 3/10 4/1 5/3 5/18
Chipping Sparrow *** 3/9 3/18 4/1 4/16 5/16
Louisiana Waterthrush * 3/14 3/22 4/2 5/24 6/13
Blue-winged Teal *** 3/2 3/22 4/4 5/1 5/23
Pine Siskin * 3/26 3/29 4/5 5/12 5/18

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Ruddy Duck * - - Before Mar 1 3/3 5/2
Fox Sparrow ** - - Before Mar 1 3/8 3/31
Harris's Sparrow * - - Before Mar 1 3/10 5/12
Ring-billed Gull *** - - Before Mar 1 3/14 5/7
Sandhill Crane ** - - Before Mar 1 3/15 4/3
Ring-necked Duck *** - - Before Mar 1 3/18 4/6
American Wigeon ** - - Before Mar 1 3/30 4/17
Brown Creeper ** - 3/2 3/4 3/30 4/10
Gadwall *** - - Before Mar 1 3/31 4/17
Tree Swallow *** 3/17 3/22 3/25 3/31 5/24
Bufflehead *** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/14
American White Pelican ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/1
Great Blue Heron ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/23
Bald Eagle ** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 5/22
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/16
American Kestrel *** - - Before Mar 1 4/1 4/12
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 3/2 3/4 3/7 4/1 5/13
Lesser Scaup *** - - Before Mar 1 4/2 4/16
Song Sparrow *** - - Before Mar 1 4/3 4/16
Dark-eyed Junco *** - - Before Mar 1 4/4 4/14
Wilson's Snipe ** 3/5 3/6 3/8 4/5 5/5
Northern Flicker *** 3/2 3/6 3/9 4/5 4/17
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** - 3/2 3/9 4/5 4/11
Bonaparte's Gull ** 3/2 3/3 3/9 4/6 4/16
Common Loon ** 3/18 3/22 3/27 4/7 5/2

Weekly mean spring nocturnal migration activity and direction of movement in the Gulf of Mexico region for the week of 30 March-6 April, 1995 to 2015. Circular buffers around radar stations represent migration activity scaled to radar reflectivity (a measure of biological activity), with weekly activity represented by size scaled to the activity at KCRP Corpus Christi and seasonal activity represented by colors scaled to the most intense movements of the spring period (L: light, M: moderate, H:heavy); arrows represent mean track direction (a measure of the direction birds are traveling) derived from radial velocity.

Great Plains

Locally moderate to isolated heavy flights are possible for the first half of the week in several areas of the region, in particular the northern and southern Plains. The extent of these movements may be larger if unfavorable conditions are not as widespread as forecast. However, more widespread unfavorable conditions arrive for the second half of the period, after a significant frontal passage brings northerly flow that will keep migration to a minimum.

Lark Sparrow. Dan Jones/Macaulay Library. eBird S35391455.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Wilson's Snipe ** 3/2 4/8 4/17 6/20 After Jun 30
Field Sparrow *** 3/12 3/31 4/28 5/11 5/18
American Coot *** 3/14 4/9 4/21 4/30 5/26
Brown-headed Cowbird ****! 3/14 4/21 5/11 5/19 6/10
Pied-billed Grebe *** 3/16 4/8 4/18 4/30 5/11
Savannah Sparrow *** 3/16 4/17 4/24 5/7 6/23
Yellow-throated Warbler ** 3/17 4/2 4/23 5/20 6/5
White-eyed Vireo ** 3/19 4/4 5/23 6/12 After Jun 30
Purple Martin *** 3/20 4/4 5/7 After Jun 30 -
Say's Phoebe * 3/23 4/14 6/11 6/26 After Jun 30
Hermit Thrush ** 3/23 4/2 4/22 5/10 5/18
Eastern Towhee ** 3/23 4/26 5/9 5/22 5/31
Great Egret *** 3/24 4/8 4/24 5/8 After Jun 30
Tree Swallow *** 3/24 4/1 5/1 6/25 After Jun 30
Vesper Sparrow *** 3/24 3/31 4/22 5/1 5/9
Louisiana Waterthrush *** 3/25 4/2 5/5 5/17 5/22
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ****! 3/26 4/5 5/6 5/17 5/22
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 3/26 4/1 5/1 5/12 5/24
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 3/28 4/7 4/25 6/12 After Jun 30
Little Blue Heron ** 3/29 4/10 4/29 5/8 5/18
Lesser Yellowlegs *** 3/29 4/21 4/26 5/22 5/29
Bonaparte's Gull *** 3/29 4/6 4/18 5/1 5/13
Cattle Egret *** 3/30 4/16 6/22 After Jun 30 -
Northern Rough-winged Swallow *** 3/30 4/21 5/4 5/21 5/27
Swainson's Hawk *** 3/31 4/9 4/23 5/2 After Jun 30
Chipping Sparrow ****! 3/31 4/26 5/6 5/18 5/27
Western Grebe ** 4/1 4/16 6/12 After Jun 30 -
Snowy Egret *** 4/1 4/12 4/27 6/29 After Jun 30
Northern Parula *** 4/1 4/8 5/7 5/18 5/24
Franklin's Gull *** 4/2 4/13 4/23 5/1 5/24
Brown Thrasher ****! 4/2 4/28 5/7 6/9 6/29
Upland Sandpiper *** 4/3 4/20 5/6 5/11 5/18
Barn Swallow ****! 4/3 4/22 5/18 6/29 After Jun 30
Grasshopper Sparrow *** 4/5 5/27 After Jun 30 - -
Osprey *** 4/6 4/13 4/23 5/5 5/9
Broad-winged Hawk *** 4/6 4/20 4/29 5/21 5/27
Prothonotary Warbler *** 4/6 4/20 5/7 5/21 6/4
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 4/6 4/28 5/4 5/14 5/21
Eared Grebe *** 4/7 4/17 4/26 6/21 After Jun 30
Cassin's Sparrow * 4/7 5/1 6/13 After Jun 30 -
Lark Sparrow ****! 4/7 4/20 5/8 5/16 After Jun 30
Yellow-headed Blackbird ****! 4/7 4/14 6/15 6/20 6/24

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Killdeer ****! 3/2 3/7 3/31 5/2 After Jun 30
Eastern Phoebe *** 3/2 3/12 5/5 5/18 After Jun 30
Common Grackle *** 3/2 3/13 5/21 6/11 After Jun 30
American Pipit * 3/2 3/14 4/19 5/7 5/18
Northern Shoveler *** 3/10 3/16 4/14 5/1 After Jun 30
Ruddy Duck *** 3/2 3/16 4/6 5/5 After Jun 30
American White Pelican *** 3/13 3/16 4/21 4/29 6/27
Horned Grebe ** 3/9 3/17 4/16 5/6 5/18
Song Sparrow *** 3/12 3/17 3/31 4/11 After Jun 30
Blue-winged Teal ****! 3/11 3/19 4/23 5/23 6/25
Great Blue Heron *** 3/2 3/22 4/24 5/19 After Jun 30
Greater Yellowlegs *** 3/12 3/22 4/20 4/30 5/9
Belted Kingfisher ** 3/2 3/23 4/9 5/20 6/4
Wood Duck ** 3/2 3/24 5/6 5/24 6/7
Common Loon ** 3/16 3/24 4/6 5/8 5/14
Baird's Sandpiper *** 3/14 3/27 4/24 5/24 6/2
Double-crested Cormorant *** 3/12 3/28 4/14 4/29 After Jun 30
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 3/25 3/28 5/16 5/24 5/30
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 3/23 3/29 4/5 4/28 5/13
Turkey Vulture *** 3/14 3/30 5/9 5/18 After Jun 30
Field Sparrow *** 3/12 3/31 4/28 5/11 5/18
Vesper Sparrow *** 3/24 3/31 4/22 5/1 5/9
Tree Swallow *** 3/24 4/1 5/1 6/25 After Jun 30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 3/26 4/1 5/1 5/12 5/24
Hermit Thrush * 3/23 4/2 4/22 5/10 5/18
Louisiana Waterthrush ** 3/25 4/2 5/5 5/17 5/22
Yellow-throated Warbler * 3/17 4/2 4/23 5/20 6/5
White-eyed Vireo * 3/19 4/4 5/23 6/12 After Jun 30
Purple Martin *** 3/20 4/4 5/7 After Jun 30 -
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 3/26 4/5 5/6 5/17 5/22
Bonaparte's Gull ** 3/29 4/6 4/18 5/1 5/13
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 3/28 4/7 4/25 6/12 After Jun 30

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Herring Gull ** - - Before Mar 1 4/2 4/30
Northern Pintail ** - 3/2 3/12 6/25 After Jun 30
Northern Harrier *** 3/2 3/7 3/17 4/26 After Jun 30
Ring-billed Gull *** 3/2 3/10 3/18 4/8 After Jun 30
Ring-necked Duck *** - 3/2 3/19 4/2 5/7
Dark-eyed Junco *** 3/16 3/18 3/21 4/8 4/21
Bufflehead *** 3/2 3/14 3/23 4/6 5/8
American Wigeon *** - 3/2 3/24 4/27 After Jun 30
Gadwall *** 3/11 3/17 3/25 After Jun 30 -
Red-breasted Merganser ** 3/15 3/19 3/26 4/6 4/13
Green-winged Teal *** 3/2 3/13 3/27 4/27 5/8
Lesser Scaup *** 3/2 3/17 3/28 4/29 After Jun 30
Fox Sparrow *** 3/13 3/20 3/28 4/10 4/22
American Kestrel *** - 3/2 3/30 4/26 5/5
Killdeer ** 3/2 3/7 3/31 5/2 After Jun 30
Song Sparrow *** 3/12 3/17 3/31 4/11 After Jun 30
Sharp-shinned Hawk ** 3/23 3/29 4/5 4/28 5/13
Ruddy Duck *** 3/2 3/16 4/6 5/5 After Jun 30
Common Loon * 3/16 3/24 4/6 5/8 5/14

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Hooded Merganser ** - - Before Mar 1 3/5 4/27
Brown Creeper ** - - Before Mar 1 3/6 4/23
Bald Eagle *** - - Before Mar 1 3/10 4/7
Ross's Goose *** - - Before Mar 1 3/15 4/8
Snow Goose *** - 3/2 3/9 3/16 4/1
Cackling Goose *** - - Before Mar 1 3/19 4/8
Common Goldeneye *** - - Before Mar 1 3/22 4/16
Common Merganser *** - - Before Mar 1 3/23 4/15
Rough-legged Hawk *** - 3/2 3/9 3/23 4/13
American Tree Sparrow *** - - Before Mar 1 3/28 4/14
Redhead ** - 3/2 3/14 3/29 After Jun 30
Sandhill Crane *** - 3/2 3/12 3/29 4/2
Ring-necked Duck *** - 3/2 3/19 4/2 5/7
Herring Gull ** - - Before Mar 1 4/2 4/30
Bufflehead *** 3/2 3/14 3/23 4/6 5/8
Red-breasted Merganser ** 3/15 3/19 3/26 4/6 4/13

West

Light to moderate flights will be localized during the first half of the period, as generally unfavorable conditions including northerly flow and some scattered precipitation will keep migrants mostly grounded in many areas. Tuesday night sees the first pulse of more extensive favorable conditions, primarily in California, the Great Basin, and portions of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies where light to moderate flights will occur. Although still not widespread, these conditions expand further for Wednesday and Thursday nights to include more areas of the region.

Ash-throated Flycatcher. Tristan Herwood/Macaulay Library. eBird S35470182.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Cinnamon Teal ** 3/2 4/7 4/19 5/8 6/6
White-throated Swift * 3/2 4/3 5/29 After Jun 30 -
Northern Rough-winged Swallow *** 3/2 4/23 5/8 5/29 After Jun 30
Tree Swallow *** 3/2 4/2 5/12 5/29 6/11
Whimbrel * 3/16 4/18 4/29 5/8 5/21
Black-chinned Hummingbird *** 3/16 4/6 5/17 5/30 6/10
Pacific-slope Flycatcher *** 3/16 4/25 5/31 6/22 After Jun 30
Western Kingbird *** 3/19 4/30 5/15 6/4 6/10
Cliff Swallow *** 3/19 4/26 6/19 After Jun 30 -
Common Yellowthroat *** 3/19 4/7 5/19 6/11 6/16
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 3/20 4/4 5/1 5/15 5/22
Osprey *** 3/22 4/4 4/21 4/30 5/23
Greater Yellowlegs ** 3/25 4/6 4/16 5/2 5/11
Caspian Tern *** 3/25 4/14 4/28 5/6 5/12
Savannah Sparrow *** 3/26 4/8 4/25 5/5 5/19
Eared Grebe * 3/27 4/9 4/21 5/8 6/1
Black-throated Gray Warbler *** 3/27 4/13 4/27 5/7 6/10
Swainson's Hawk *** 3/28 4/8 5/1 5/31 6/5
Black-necked Stilt ** 3/28 4/6 4/28 5/10 6/4
American Avocet *** 3/28 4/6 4/29 5/10 6/6
Cassin's Vireo ** 3/28 4/18 5/9 After Jun 30 -
Barn Swallow *** 3/30 4/23 5/19 6/1 6/12
Nashville Warbler *** 3/30 4/15 4/27 5/7 6/26
Common Loon ** 3/31 4/12 4/19 5/3 5/12
Brewer's Blackbird *** 3/31 4/15 5/29 After Jun 30 -
Golden-crowned Sparrow ** 4/1 4/5 4/15 4/28 5/15
Yellow-headed Blackbird *** 4/1 4/10 5/14 5/30 6/3
American Pipit * 4/2 4/8 4/13 5/8 5/18
Yellow-rumped Warbler ** 4/2 4/14 4/19 5/18 5/28
Green Heron * 4/3 4/21 5/10 5/28 6/8
Ash-throated Flycatcher *** 4/5 4/14 5/8 6/9 6/19
Black-bellied Plover * 4/6 4/10 4/23 5/7 5/27
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 4/7 4/10 4/13 5/3 5/20
Willet ** 4/7 4/9 4/30 5/6 5/10

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Mountain Bluebird * 3/2 3/9 4/10 4/23 4/27
Violet-green Swallow *** 3/2 3/17 5/18 5/24 5/29
Rufous Hummingbird *** 3/2 3/19 4/8 5/6 5/20
Gadwall * 3/9 3/23 4/13 5/19 After Jun 30
Northern Shoveler * 3/20 3/25 4/8 5/5 6/2
Hooded Oriole ** 3/12 3/26 4/28 5/15 6/14
White-crowned Sparrow *** 3/20 3/27 4/11 4/26 5/23
Tree Swallow *** 3/2 4/2 5/12 5/29 6/11
White-throated Swift * 3/2 4/3 5/29 After Jun 30 -
Osprey *** 3/22 4/4 4/21 4/30 5/23
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 3/20 4/4 5/1 5/15 5/22
Golden-crowned Sparrow * 4/1 4/5 4/15 4/28 5/15
Black-necked Stilt ** 3/28 4/6 4/28 5/10 6/4
American Avocet ** 3/28 4/6 4/29 5/10 6/6
Greater Yellowlegs ** 3/25 4/6 4/16 5/2 5/11
Black-chinned Hummingbird *** 3/16 4/6 5/17 5/30 6/10
Cinnamon Teal ** 3/2 4/7 4/19 5/8 6/6
Common Yellowthroat *** 3/19 4/7 5/19 6/11 6/16

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Cackling Goose * - - Before Mar 1 5/1 5/13
American Wigeon *** - - Before Mar 1 4/14 5/17
Canvasback * - - Before Mar 1 4/17 4/30
Greater Scaup * - - Before Mar 1 5/5 5/21
Bufflehead *** - - Before Mar 1 4/28 5/19
Common Goldeneye *** - - Before Mar 1 4/9 4/26
Hooded Merganser ** - - Before Mar 1 4/8 5/2
Common Merganser ** - - Before Mar 1 4/22 5/17
Ruddy Duck ** - - Before Mar 1 5/17 6/3
Pied-billed Grebe ** - - Before Mar 1 4/20 5/31
Horned Grebe * - - Before Mar 1 5/1 5/12
American Coot ** - - Before Mar 1 4/30 6/4
Varied Thrush ** - - Before Mar 1 4/5 4/27
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** - 3/2 3/9 4/25 5/17
Dark-eyed Junco *** 3/2 3/3 3/9 4/10 4/24
Ring-necked Duck ** - 3/2 3/10 4/30 5/17
Lesser Scaup ** 3/2 3/11 3/15 4/27 5/21
Surf Scoter * 3/15 3/18 3/21 5/3 5/21
Green-winged Teal *** 3/20 3/22 3/26 5/2 5/12
Broad-billed Hummingbird * 3/2 3/14 3/28 6/1 6/6
Cooper's Hawk * 3/2 3/14 3/29 5/14 5/26

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Glaucous-winged Gull ** - - Before Mar 1 3/3 5/13
Mew Gull * - - Before Mar 1 3/7 5/3
Bald Eagle ** - - Before Mar 1 3/15 4/3
Ring-billed Gull *** - - Before Mar 1 3/17 5/1
Northern Pintail ** - - Before Mar 1 3/22 5/14
Varied Thrush ** - - Before Mar 1 4/5 4/27

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Farnsworth and Van Doren

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