Spring migration continues to ramp up slowly, and early migrants such as Western Kingbird began appearing in numbers during the past week. This individual was photographed on 16 April 2007 by Brian Sullivan.
West
Scattered light migration occurred in several areas over the course of the week from southern California east through the Desert Southwest. Even some more northerly portions in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies experienced some light movements early and late in the period. Noticeable mover’s this week include Western Kingbird (February and March), Lucy’s Warbler, and Hooded (February and March) and Bullock’s (February and March) Orioles.
Great Plains
Primarily light and locally moderate movements occurred early in the forecast period, although the forecast shutdown brought these movements largely to a halt during the beginning of the week. By Wednesday night, light movements occurred again in central and southern areas. Species on the move this week included Turkey Vulture (February and March), building numbers of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson’s Snipe, and Franklin’s Gull (February and March) among others.
Upper Midwest and Northeast
Unfavorable conditions were the norm across the region during this week, although that did not stop arrivals and departures for a number of species. For example, some species on the move this week included arriving Blue-winged Teal (February and March), departing Snow Goose and Rough-legged Hawk, arriving Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo (February and March), and Black-and-white Warbler among others.
Gulf Coast and Southeast
Light to moderate movements spanned the region for much of the early part of the week this week, until a substantial storm system shut down most movements through 22 March. Trans-Gulf and Circum-Gulf migrants began to appear, including building or arriving numbers of Swainson’s Hawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, and Hooded Warbler among others.
