Forecast and Analysis

Regional Migration Forecast: 18-25 September 2015

Andrew Farnsworth The Cornell Lab Sep 18, 2015

Screenshot 2015-09-18 13.22.53

Continental Summary

A patchwork of favorable conditions across northern reaches of the West, primarily, brings light to moderate flights featuring Pectoral Sandpiper, Orange-crowned Warbler, a suite of vagrant eastern warblers, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Savannah Sparrow, while a weekend cold front kicks off moderate to very heavy flights followed later in the period by another similarly intense pulse, both featuring Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, Swainson’s Thrush, Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow.

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 blue will experience conditions that are favorable for migration, and areas where blue 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!

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 Southeast
Great Plainsbirdcast_plains West

Upper Midwest and Northeast

Low pressure moving east across the region will spawn moderate to very heavy flights as it passes, first through the Upper Midwest on Friday night, east to the Appalachians by Saturday night, and then finally to the Atlantic coast by Sunday night. This migration pulse is followed by a changeable period when favorable, marginal, and unfavorable conditions will spread across the region, bringing locally heavy movements where favorable conditions persist and little to no movement where southerly winds blow. Wednesday night sees a broader spatial extent to the higher levels of migration activity, particularly in New England. Furthermore, the next front comes knocking, with moderate to heavy flights in its wake for the Upper Midwest on Thursday night and Friday.

Screenshot 2015-09-18 13.24.54

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Northern Harrier ** 8/1 9/26 10/20 11/10 11/27
Wilson's Snipe * 8/6 10/1 10/16 11/2 11/19
Northern Shoveler ** 8/9 10/15 11/10 12/1 12/16
Monk Parakeet * 8/24 9/23 11/4 12/10 -
Northern Pintail ** 9/1 10/3 10/31 11/20 12/11
Sedge Wren * 9/1 9/20 10/5 10/24 11/1
Marsh Wren NA 9/1 9/20 10/5 10/24 -
Great Cormorant * 9/3 11/12 After Dec 31 - -
Palm Warbler *** 9/4 9/18 10/5 10/22 11/4
American Pipit ** 9/5 9/21 10/22 11/17 12/4
Peregrine Falcon ** 9/6 9/20 10/5 10/22 11/3
Blue-headed Vireo *** 9/6 9/19 10/4 10/21 11/2
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/7 9/19 10/5 10/22 11/2
Song Sparrow NA 9/8 10/10 10/20 11/1 -
Harris's Sparrow * 9/8 9/22 10/12 10/28 11/10
American Wigeon ** 9/9 10/5 11/1 11/23 12/19
Eastern Bluebird *** 9/9 9/25 10/19 11/11 11/29
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/10 9/22 10/7 10/21 10/31
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/10 9/24 10/12 10/29 11/12
American Robin *** 9/11 9/25 10/13 11/9 11/26
Cackling Goose * 9/12 10/1 12/8 - -
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/12 10/10 10/31 11/22 12/11
Eastern Towhee *** 9/12 9/23 10/6 10/25 11/7
Winter Wren *** 9/14 9/28 10/17 10/31 11/12
Orange-crowned Warbler ** 9/14 9/25 10/10 10/25 11/5
Nelson's Sparrow * 9/14 9/25 10/10 10/25 11/4
Dunlin ** 9/15 10/9 10/31 11/20 12/6
Brown Creeper *** 9/15 9/28 10/17 10/30 11/9
Saltmarsh Sparrow NA 9/15 10/10 10/20 11/5 11/15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ****! 9/16 9/28 10/14 10/30 11/11
Yellow-rumped Warbler ****! 9/16 9/27 10/13 10/28 11/9
Swamp Sparrow ****! 9/16 9/28 10/14 10/30 11/12
White-throated Sparrow ****! 9/16 9/29 10/19 11/2 11/13
Le Conte's Sparrow * 9/17 9/29 10/15 10/31 11/12
Eastern Meadowlark ** 9/17 9/29 10/16 11/2 11/17
Snow Goose * 9/18 11/21 12/26 - -
Golden-crowned Kinglet ****! 9/18 9/30 10/18 11/2 11/15
Chipping Sparrow *** 9/18 9/27 10/9 10/30 11/13
Rusty Blackbird ** 9/18 10/3 10/23 11/10 11/25
American Black Duck *** 9/19 10/15 11/28 12/14 -
White-crowned Sparrow ****! 9/19 9/30 10/15 10/30 11/10
Hermit Thrush *** 9/20 10/3 10/19 11/5 11/17
Field Sparrow *** 9/21 10/2 10/16 11/3 11/15
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/21 10/3 10/19 11/7 11/23
Purple Finch *** 9/21 10/6 10/24 11/11 11/25
Surf Scoter ** 9/23 10/11 11/8 11/26 12/8
Vesper Sparrow * 9/24 10/6 10/21 11/7 11/18
Pine Siskin *** 9/24 10/9 10/29 11/14 11/27

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Belted Kingfisher ** Before July 1 7/27 9/20 10/14 -
Green-winged Teal ** 8/8 8/22 10/27 11/22 12/10
Sora * 8/12 8/28 9/21 10/16 10/30
Bald Eagle * Before July 1 9/2 11/6 - -
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/25 9/3 9/18 10/9 10/24
Merlin ** 8/19 9/4 9/28 10/26 11/16
Swainson's Thrush *** 8/24 9/4 9/19 10/5 10/16
Cape May Warbler ** 8/22 9/4 9/19 10/5 10/17
Turkey Vulture *** 8/16 9/5 9/28 10/31 11/25
Red-shouldered Hawk ** 8/24 9/5 9/22 11/13 11/22
Broad-winged Hawk ** 8/26 9/5 9/18 10/3 10/14
Nashville Warbler *** 8/22 9/5 9/21 10/9 10/23
Connecticut Warbler * 8/25 9/5 9/19 10/5 10/16
Pine Warbler ** 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/11 10/25
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 8/24 9/5 9/20 10/7 10/19
Parasitic Jaeger * 8/23 9/6 9/25 11/15 11/30
Northern Parula *** 8/25 9/6 9/20 10/6 10/18
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 8/22 9/6 9/23 10/12 10/26
Brown Thrasher *** 8/27 9/7 9/21 10/7 10/20
Blackpoll Warbler *** 8/27 9/7 9/23 10/9 10/21
Blue Jay ****! 8/25 9/8 9/28 10/16 -
Gray-cheeked Thrush ** 8/29 9/8 9/23 10/8 10/19
Northern Flicker *** 8/28 9/9 9/26 10/13 10/30
Red-breasted Nuthatch ** 8/9 9/9 10/2 - -
Sharp-shinned Hawk *** 8/26 9/10 10/7 11/8 11/22
Cooper's Hawk *** 8/3 9/10 10/7 11/2 11/16
American Kestrel ** 8/27 9/10 9/28 10/19 11/5
Indigo Bunting ** 9/9 9/14 9/24 10/11 10/23
Lapland Longspur * 9/3 9/15 11/10 - -
Eastern Phoebe *** 9/4 9/16 9/30 10/20 11/3
Clay-colored Sparrow * 9/5 9/17 10/4 10/21 11/3
Palm Warbler *** 9/4 9/18 10/5 10/22 11/4
Blue-headed Vireo *** 9/6 9/19 10/4 10/21 11/2
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/7 9/19 10/5 10/22 11/2
Peregrine Falcon ** 9/6 9/20 10/5 10/22 11/3
Sedge Wren * 9/1 9/20 10/5 10/24 11/1
Marsh Wren *** 9/1 9/20 10/5 10/24 -
American Pipit ** 9/5 9/21 10/22 11/17 12/4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/10 9/22 10/7 10/21 10/31
Harris's Sparrow * 9/8 9/22 10/12 10/28 11/10
Monk Parakeet * 8/24 9/23 11/4 12/10 -
Eastern Towhee *** 9/12 9/23 10/6 10/25 11/7
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/10 9/24 10/12 10/29 11/12
Eastern Bluebird *** 9/9 9/25 10/19 11/11 11/29
American Robin *** 9/11 9/25 10/13 11/9 11/26
Orange-crowned Warbler ** 9/14 9/25 10/10 10/25 11/5
Nelson's Sparrow * 9/14 9/25 10/10 10/25 11/4

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Yellow-billed Cuckoo * - - Before July 1 10/3 10/17
Black Skimmer * - Before July 1 7/23 9/22 10/21
Whimbrel * Before July 1 7/9 8/1 9/18 10/4
Killdeer *** - Before July 1 8/2 10/28 11/26
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - Before July 1 8/3 10/8 10/28
Chimney Swift *** - - 8/5 10/10 10/25
Snowy Egret ** - Before July 1 8/7 10/15 11/3
Great Blue Heron *** - Before July 1 8/10 10/19 12/8
Tricolored Heron * 7/14 7/26 8/11 10/7 10/22
Great Egret *** Before July 1 7/11 8/12 10/19 11/6
Laughing Gull ** Before July 1 7/15 8/13 11/12 12/5
Osprey *** - Before July 1 8/16 10/15 11/8
Pectoral Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/18 8/16 9/24 11/20
Forster's Tern * - Before July 1 8/17 9/18 11/30
Cedar Waxwing *** - Before July 1 8/17 9/27 11/26
Wood Duck ** Before July 1 7/6 8/18 10/31 11/21
Royal Tern * 7/12 7/31 8/25 11/10 11/25
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** 7/30 8/14 8/28 9/21 10/5
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** 8/5 8/16 8/29 9/22 10/9
Eastern Whip-poor-will * 8/16 8/21 8/30 9/19 10/2
Bobolink ** 8/5 8/16 8/31 9/19 10/15
Sanderling ** - Before July 1 9/1 9/23 10/6
Mourning Warbler * 8/4 8/15 9/1 9/21 10/7
Least Flycatcher ** 8/7 8/18 9/3 9/22 10/5
Warbling Vireo *** 8/13 8/21 9/3 9/19 9/30
Double-crested Cormorant *** - - 9/5 11/14 12/7
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher * 8/9 8/20 9/5 9/21 10/4
Veery ** 8/13 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/5
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/15 8/25 9/7 9/28 10/13
Golden-winged Warbler * 8/11 8/22 9/7 9/23 10/5
Yellow-throated Vireo ** 8/16 8/25 9/8 9/26 10/8
Blackburnian Warbler *** 8/10 8/23 9/8 9/27 10/9
Blue-winged Teal ** 8/4 8/18 9/9 10/22 11/6
Hooded Warbler * 8/17 8/26 9/9 9/27 10/10
Chestnut-sided Warbler *** 8/11 8/24 9/9 9/27 10/9
Prairie Warbler * 8/4 8/21 9/9 9/30 10/13
American Golden-Plover * 8/11 8/23 9/10 9/27 10/13
White-eyed Vireo *** 8/17 8/27 9/10 9/28 10/10
Northern Waterthrush ** 7/28 8/24 9/10 9/30 10/12
Wood Thrush ** 8/23 8/30 9/11 9/28 10/15
American Redstart *** 8/12 8/27 9/11 9/30 10/12
Wilson's Warbler *** 8/15 8/26 9/11 9/28 10/9
Yellow-throated Warbler * 8/19 8/29 9/12 9/30 10/12
Red-headed Woodpecker * 8/22 9/1 9/13 10/2 10/14
Ovenbird *** 8/11 8/26 9/13 10/2 10/14
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/10 8/28 9/13 10/2 10/14
House Wren *** 8/28 9/4 9/15 10/7 10/23
Scarlet Tanager *** 8/23 9/2 9/15 10/3 10/15
Sabine's Gull * 8/22 9/2 9/16 10/1 10/10
Tennessee Warbler *** 8/16 8/30 9/16 10/4 10/18
Bay-breasted Warbler *** 8/22 9/2 9/16 10/2 10/13
Summer Tanager * 8/25 9/3 9/16 10/3 10/15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak *** 8/26 9/5 9/16 10/3 10/14
Philadelphia Vireo *** 8/22 9/3 9/17 10/2 10/12
Gray Catbird *** 8/28 9/6 9/17 10/9 10/24
Magnolia Warbler *** 8/20 9/1 9/17 10/3 10/15
Broad-winged Hawk *** 8/26 9/5 9/18 10/3 10/14
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/25 9/3 9/18 10/9 10/24
Swainson's Thrush *** 8/24 9/4 9/19 10/5 10/16
Connecticut Warbler * 8/25 9/5 9/19 10/5 10/16
Cape May Warbler *** 8/22 9/4 9/19 10/5 10/17
Belted Kingfisher *** Before July 1 7/27 9/20 10/14 -
Northern Parula *** 8/25 9/6 9/20 10/6 10/18
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 8/24 9/5 9/20 10/7 10/19
Sora * 8/12 8/28 9/21 10/16 10/30
Brown Thrasher *** 8/27 9/7 9/21 10/7 10/20
Nashville Warbler *** 8/22 9/5 9/21 10/9 10/23
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/24 9/5 9/22 11/13 11/22
Pine Warbler *** 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/11 10/25
Gray-cheeked Thrush ** 8/29 9/8 9/23 10/8 10/19
Blackpoll Warbler *** 8/27 9/7 9/23 10/9 10/21
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 8/22 9/6 9/23 10/12 10/26
Indigo Bunting *** 9/9 9/14 9/24 10/11 10/23
Parasitic Jaeger * 8/23 9/6 9/25 11/15 11/30

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** - - Before July 1 8/5 10/24
Wilson's Storm-Petrel * - Before July 1 7/21 8/6 9/22
Glossy Ibis * - Before July 1 7/23 8/17 9/26
Yellow Warbler *** - - Before July 1 8/18 10/7
Little Blue Heron * Before July 1 7/21 8/9 8/26 10/20
Common Tern *** - Before July 1 8/1 8/26 10/4
Black-crowned Night-Heron * - Before July 1 7/31 8/27 10/30
Clapper Rail * - Before July 1 8/1 8/28 10/29
Cliff Swallow ** - - Before July 1 8/29 9/18
Tree Swallow *** - - Before July 1 8/30 11/10
American Oystercatcher * - Before July 1 7/29 8/30 9/25
Blue Grosbeak * Before July 1 7/18 8/5 8/31 10/17
Roseate Tern * - Before July 1 7/20 9/1 9/23
Black-bellied Plover * 7/20 8/1 8/20 9/3 12/1
Mississippi Kite * - - Before July 1 9/4 9/18
Black-necked Stilt * - Before July 1 7/28 9/4 9/19
Spotted Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/1 8/6 9/5 9/24
Marbled Godwit * 7/22 8/2 8/20 9/5 9/21
Willet ** - Before July 1 7/21 9/6 9/21
Baltimore Oriole *** 7/29 8/7 8/19 9/6 9/18
Semipalmated Plover *** 7/1 7/25 8/17 9/8 10/4
Solitary Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/11 8/13 9/8 10/7
Lesser Yellowlegs *** - Before July 1 8/18 9/10 9/25
Semipalmated Sandpiper *** 7/1 7/13 8/16 9/10 9/28
Short-billed Dowitcher *** - Before July 1 7/29 9/10 9/23
Wilson's Phalarope * Before July 1 8/7 8/22 9/10 9/22
Prothonotary Warbler * 8/7 8/13 8/21 9/10 9/22
Greater Yellowlegs ** - Before July 1 8/20 9/11 11/28
Stilt Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/15 8/21 9/11 9/25
Least Sandpiper *** - Before July 1 8/18 9/11 9/25
Common Gallinule * - Before July 1 7/26 9/12 11/2
Black Tern ** Before July 1 8/14 8/25 9/12 9/24
Worm-eating Warbler * 8/1 8/11 8/25 9/12 9/24
White-rumped Sandpiper * 7/22 8/6 8/26 9/13 9/28
Red-necked Phalarope * 7/28 8/11 8/27 9/13 9/27
Caspian Tern ** Before July 1 7/17 8/20 9/14 10/20
Common Nighthawk *** 8/7 8/17 8/31 9/14 9/25
Great Crested Flycatcher *** 8/12 8/17 8/25 9/14 9/26
Blue-winged Warbler ** 8/1 8/13 8/28 9/14 9/27
Green Heron *** - Before July 1 8/13 9/15 10/7
Red Knot * - Before July 1 8/28 9/15 9/28
Baird's Sandpiper ** 8/6 8/17 8/30 9/15 9/25
Olive-sided Flycatcher * 8/4 8/16 8/30 9/15 9/27
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 8/4 8/14 8/25 9/15 9/29
Canada Warbler *** 8/5 8/16 8/30 9/15 9/26
Buff-breasted Sandpiper ** 8/10 8/20 9/3 9/17 9/28
Western Sandpiper * Before July 1 7/15 8/24 9/17 10/1
Kentucky Warbler * 8/15 8/21 8/31 9/17 9/29
Whimbrel * Before July 1 7/9 8/1 9/18 10/4
Forster's Tern * - Before July 1 8/17 9/18 11/30
Eastern Whip-poor-will * 8/16 8/21 8/30 9/19 10/2
Warbling Vireo *** 8/13 8/21 9/3 9/19 9/30
Bobolink ** 8/5 8/16 8/31 9/19 10/15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** 7/30 8/14 8/28 9/21 10/5
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher * 8/9 8/20 9/5 9/21 10/4
Mourning Warbler * 8/4 8/15 9/1 9/21 10/7
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** 8/5 8/16 8/29 9/22 10/9
Least Flycatcher *** 8/7 8/18 9/3 9/22 10/5
Veery *** 8/13 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/5
Black Skimmer * - Before July 1 7/23 9/22 10/21
Sanderling ** - Before July 1 9/1 9/23 10/6
Golden-winged Warbler * 8/11 8/22 9/7 9/23 10/5
Pectoral Sandpiper * Before July 1 7/18 8/16 9/24 11/20

Gulf Coast and Southeast

This week sees a substantial percentage of nights and locations with marginal or favorable conditions for migration across the Gulf Coast and Southeast. Moderate to locally very heavy flights will occur in many corners of the region as a result. Additionally, many nights are forecast to have low wind speeds, so even areas will southerly flow may see migration activity. Movements may be particularly large on Saturday night, both in the Southeast and to the west of the Mississippi – a low pressure center moving off the coast will spawn large coastal flights, while the most favorable conditions of the period in terms of direction and speed of winds are forecast away from the coast to the west of the great river.

Screenshot 2015-09-18 13.23.45

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Great Blue Heron ** 7/27 10/21 11/19 - -
Bald Eagle ** 8/21 9/18 After Dec 31 - -
Black Vulture ** 8/25 10/15 After Dec 31 - -
American Avocet * 9/1 10/20 11/5 11/24 12/8
Blue-headed Vireo * 9/1 10/18 12/18 After Dec 31 -
Brown Thrasher *** 9/3 9/18 10/5 10/24 11/7
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 9/5 9/20 10/6 10/25 11/7
Northern Mockingbird ****! 9/6 9/20 10/12 - -
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ** 9/6 9/20 10/5 11/1 11/19
Bay-breasted Warbler ** 9/7 9/21 10/7 10/25 11/6
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 9/7 9/22 10/8 10/27 11/9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak *** 9/7 9/19 10/4 10/21 11/1
American Kestrel *** 9/9 10/7 11/14 - -
Peregrine Falcon *** 9/9 9/22 10/8 10/23 11/3
American Bittern * 9/12 10/14 11/25 - -
Brown-headed Cowbird ** 9/12 9/26 10/25 11/11 11/22
Gray Catbird ****! 9/12 9/24 10/10 10/26 11/7
Blackpoll Warbler * 9/13 9/25 10/10 10/26 11/6
Northern Flicker ****! 9/14 9/29 10/18 11/2 -
Indigo Bunting *** 9/15 9/25 10/9 10/26 11/8
Palm Warbler ****! 9/15 9/29 10/19 11/2 11/12
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 9/15 10/6 11/3 - -
Marsh Wren ** 9/19 10/8 10/29 - -
Wilson's Snipe ** 9/20 10/19 12/15 - -
House Wren *** 9/21 10/8 10/27 11/11 -
Eastern Phoebe ****! 9/22 10/11 10/31 11/12 -
Tree Swallow *** 9/22 10/8 10/30 - -
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/24 10/10 10/29 - -
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/24 10/13 11/7 11/19 11/30
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/25 10/17 11/21 11/27 12/1
Nelson's Sparrow * 9/25 10/8 10/25 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black-bellied Plover * 7/23 8/6 11/2 - -
Caspian Tern * 7/26 8/13 10/26 11/23 -
Blue-winged Teal ** 8/8 8/25 11/2 - -
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** 8/16 9/1 9/19 10/12 10/29
Hooded Warbler ** 8/3 9/3 9/20 10/11 10/27
Northern Parula *** 8/7 9/3 9/23 10/17 11/2
Northern Waterthrush *** 8/19 9/3 9/19 10/7 10/21
White-eyed Vireo *** 8/19 9/3 9/20 10/11 10/30
Bobolink * 8/21 9/4 9/21 10/9 10/23
Red-headed Woodpecker ** 8/24 9/4 9/18 10/6 11/11
Wilson's Warbler *** 8/23 9/4 9/19 10/4 10/14
Black-billed Cuckoo * 8/17 9/5 9/26 10/18 11/1
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/22 9/5 9/19 10/8 10/23
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/18 9/6 9/26 10/18 11/5
Blackburnian Warbler ** 8/24 9/6 9/22 10/9 10/23
Chestnut-sided Warbler *** 8/25 9/6 9/22 10/10 10/23
Pine Warbler *** 8/13 9/6 10/3 - -
Yellow-throated Warbler ** 7/31 9/6 9/26 10/19 11/4
Chimney Swift *** 8/27 9/7 9/20 10/11 10/25
Golden-winged Warbler * 8/27 9/7 9/22 10/7 10/19
Veery ** 8/28 9/7 9/21 10/5 10/16
Prairie Warbler ** 7/23 9/8 9/23 10/13 10/30
Broad-winged Hawk ** 8/28 9/9 9/25 10/13 11/1
Ovenbird *** 8/26 9/9 9/27 10/16 11/2
Sora * 8/29 9/10 12/18 - -
American Redstart *** 8/29 9/11 9/28 10/16 10/30
Cooper's Hawk ** 7/29 9/11 10/24 11/11 11/22
Cape May Warbler ** 8/31 9/12 9/29 10/16 10/31
Scarlet Tanager *** 8/31 9/12 9/27 10/15 10/28
Nashville Warbler *** 8/30 9/13 10/4 10/26 11/15
Belted Kingfisher *** 8/12 9/14 10/26 - -
Magnolia Warbler *** 9/1 9/14 10/1 10/19 11/1
Swainson's Thrush *** 9/3 9/14 9/29 10/15 10/27
Clay-colored Sparrow * 9/2 9/15 10/4 10/21 11/4
Eastern Towhee ** 9/7 9/15 10/21 11/8 11/22
Tennessee Warbler *** 8/31 9/15 10/3 10/22 11/5
Common Yellowthroat *** 9/2 9/16 10/5 10/23 11/6
Wood Thrush ** 9/3 9/16 10/2 10/19 10/31
Gray-cheeked Thrush ** 9/6 9/17 10/2 10/19 10/30
Merlin ** 9/3 9/17 10/11 11/1 11/18
Sharp-shinned Hawk ** 9/2 9/17 10/28 11/12 11/22
Bald Eagle * 8/21 9/18 After Dec 31 - -
Brown Thrasher *** 9/3 9/18 10/5 10/24 11/7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak *** 9/7 9/19 10/4 10/21 11/1
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 9/5 9/20 10/6 10/25 11/7
Northern Mockingbird *** 9/6 9/20 10/12 - -
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ** 9/6 9/20 10/5 11/1 11/19
Bay-breasted Warbler * 9/7 9/21 10/7 10/25 11/6
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 9/7 9/22 10/8 10/27 11/9
Peregrine Falcon ** 9/9 9/22 10/8 10/23 11/3
Gray Catbird *** 9/12 9/24 10/10 10/26 11/7
Blackpoll Warbler * 9/13 9/25 10/10 10/26 11/6
Indigo Bunting *** 9/15 9/25 10/9 10/26 11/8

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black-chinned Hummingbird * - - Before July 1 9/20 10/10
Green Heron ** - - Before July 1 9/20 10/9
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - - Before July 1 9/24 10/21
Eastern Kingbird ** - - 7/4 9/21 10/7
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck * - Before July 1 8/6 9/21 12/6
Cattle Egret ** - - 8/12 9/25 -
Pectoral Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/26 8/18 9/22 10/8
Baird's Sandpiper * 7/8 7/28 8/20 9/24 10/9
Common Tern * Before July 1 7/20 8/22 9/24 11/9
Least Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/9 8/25 9/18 -
Common Nighthawk ** 8/10 8/18 8/28 9/19 10/4
Prothonotary Warbler * 8/2 8/11 8/28 9/23 10/9
Bell's Vireo * 8/8 8/18 8/29 9/23 10/10
Brown-crested Flycatcher * 8/16 8/23 9/1 9/20 10/2
Cave Swallow * - - 9/1 9/26 11/26
Great Crested Flycatcher *** 8/11 8/20 9/1 9/20 10/5
Western Sandpiper * Before July 1 7/11 9/1 9/20 10/2
Bullock's Oriole * 8/13 8/21 9/2 9/18 9/30
Dickcissel * 8/10 8/19 9/2 9/24 10/16
Kentucky Warbler * 8/4 8/15 9/2 9/24 10/9
Alder Flycatcher * 8/4 8/17 9/3 9/20 10/4
American Golden-Plover * 8/10 8/21 9/5 9/20 10/1
Olive-sided Flycatcher * 8/6 8/19 9/5 9/23 10/7
White-rumped Sandpiper * 8/8 8/20 9/5 9/22 10/5
Willow Flycatcher * 8/5 8/19 9/5 9/25 10/9
Yellow Warbler *** 7/29 8/16 9/7 9/29 10/15
Yellow-breasted Chat ** 8/13 8/23 9/7 9/25 10/9
Canada Warbler ** 8/13 8/24 9/9 9/26 10/9
Mourning Warbler * 8/15 8/27 9/12 9/28 10/10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 8/4 8/25 9/13 10/1 10/14
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** 7/26 8/30 9/13 10/5 10/20
Swainson's Warbler * 8/14 8/25 9/13 10/5 10/24
Baltimore Oriole *** 8/18 8/30 9/14 9/30 10/10
Least Flycatcher ** 8/15 8/30 9/14 10/1 10/13
Summer Tanager *** 8/19 8/31 9/15 10/4 10/19
Worm-eating Warbler ** 8/9 8/29 9/15 10/4 10/17
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher * 8/15 8/31 9/15 10/3 10/15
Yellow-throated Vireo *** 8/16 8/30 9/15 10/3 10/17
Acadian Flycatcher ** 8/20 9/1 9/16 10/5 10/18
Blue-winged Warbler ** 8/19 9/1 9/17 10/4 10/16
Chuck-will's-widow * 8/15 8/31 9/17 10/6 10/20
Warbling Vireo * 8/23 9/3 9/17 10/3 10/14
Red-headed Woodpecker ** 8/24 9/4 9/18 10/6 11/11
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** 8/16 9/1 9/19 10/12 10/29
Northern Waterthrush *** 8/19 9/3 9/19 10/7 10/21
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/22 9/5 9/19 10/8 10/23
Wilson's Warbler *** 8/23 9/4 9/19 10/4 10/14
Chimney Swift *** 8/27 9/7 9/20 10/11 10/25
Hooded Warbler *** 8/3 9/3 9/20 10/11 10/27
White-eyed Vireo *** 8/19 9/3 9/20 10/11 10/30
Bobolink * 8/21 9/4 9/21 10/9 10/23
Veery ** 8/28 9/7 9/21 10/5 10/16
Blackburnian Warbler ** 8/24 9/6 9/22 10/9 10/23
Chestnut-sided Warbler *** 8/25 9/6 9/22 10/10 10/23
Golden-winged Warbler * 8/27 9/7 9/22 10/7 10/19
Northern Parula *** 8/7 9/3 9/23 10/17 11/2
Prairie Warbler *** 7/23 9/8 9/23 10/13 10/30
Broad-winged Hawk ** 8/28 9/9 9/25 10/13 11/1

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Cliff Swallow ** - - Before July 1 7/8 10/7
Least Bittern * - - Before July 1 8/1 10/18
Blue Grosbeak ** - - Before July 1 8/26 11/1
Black Skimmer ** - Before July 1 8/6 9/4 9/18
Least Tern *** - Before July 1 7/21 9/5 9/21
Gull-billed Tern * - Before July 1 7/23 9/7 9/29
Barn Swallow *** - Before July 1 8/8 9/8 11/5
Black-headed Grosbeak * - - 8/18 9/8 9/23
Sandwich Tern * Before July 1 7/28 8/19 9/8 12/9
Upland Sandpiper ** 7/21 8/3 8/20 9/8 9/23
Wilson's Plover * Before July 1 7/27 8/15 9/8 9/26
Semipalmated Plover ** 7/14 7/30 8/21 9/10 10/2
Louisiana Waterthrush * - - Before July 1 9/11 9/29
Orchard Oriole ** - - 8/13 9/12 9/30
Spotted Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/19 8/17 9/12 10/3
Wilson's Phalarope * 7/19 8/2 8/22 9/12 10/3
Black Tern *** 7/20 8/8 8/24 9/13 9/27
Solitary Sandpiper ** - Before July 1 8/17 9/13 10/5
Cerulean Warbler * 8/1 8/13 8/28 9/14 9/26
Short-billed Dowitcher * Before July 1 7/3 8/27 9/14 9/25
Stilt Sandpiper * 7/5 7/21 8/15 9/14 11/21
Bank Swallow ** 8/6 8/17 9/1 9/16 9/28
Black-necked Stilt * 7/14 7/27 8/11 9/16 11/28
Gray Kingbird * - - 8/14 9/16 10/11
Semipalmated Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/15 8/23 9/16 10/15
Buff-breasted Sandpiper * 7/31 8/14 8/30 9/17 9/30
Bullock's Oriole * 8/13 8/21 9/2 9/18 9/30
Common Nighthawk *** 8/10 8/18 8/28 9/19 10/4
Alder Flycatcher * 8/4 8/17 9/3 9/20 10/4
American Golden-Plover * 8/10 8/21 9/5 9/20 10/1
Black-chinned Hummingbird ** - - Before July 1 9/20 10/10
Brown-crested Flycatcher * 8/16 8/23 9/1 9/20 10/2
Great Crested Flycatcher *** 8/11 8/20 9/1 9/20 10/5
Green Heron *** - - Before July 1 9/20 10/9
Western Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/11 9/1 9/20 10/2
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck * - Before July 1 8/6 9/21 12/6
Eastern Kingbird *** - - 7/4 9/21 10/7
Pectoral Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/26 8/18 9/22 10/8
White-rumped Sandpiper * 8/8 8/20 9/5 9/22 10/5
Bell's Vireo * 8/8 8/18 8/29 9/23 10/10
Olive-sided Flycatcher ** 8/6 8/19 9/5 9/23 10/7
Prothonotary Warbler ** 8/2 8/11 8/28 9/23 10/9
Baird's Sandpiper * 7/8 7/28 8/20 9/24 10/9
Common Tern * Before July 1 7/20 8/22 9/24 11/9
Dickcissel * 8/10 8/19 9/2 9/24 10/16
Kentucky Warbler * 8/4 8/15 9/2 9/24 10/9
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - - Before July 1 9/24 10/21
Willow Flycatcher * 8/5 8/19 9/5 9/25 10/9
Yellow-breasted Chat ** 8/13 8/23 9/7 9/25 10/9

Great Plains

A disturbance moving east brings moderate to heavy flights early in the weekend as northerly flow and cooler air spreads across the Plains. But this is a short-lived event, as southerly flow builds quickly by Sunday and puts a lid on the migration action. Other than a pulse of northerly flow in the northern Plains to kick off the week (with locally moderate to heavy flights), southerly flow and warmer temperatures prevail mostly until the end of the week. And by the end of the week, birds are ready to fly and will do so with moderate to very heavy intensity in high pressure and northerly and northeasterly winds.

Screenshot 2015-09-18 13.24.17

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Ring-billed Gull *** 7/16 10/23 11/10 11/29 -
Wilson's Snipe * 8/7 10/3 10/18 11/4 11/16
Pine Siskin * 8/23 10/11 12/28 - -
Purple Finch * 8/31 12/9 After Dec 31 - -
Sharp-shinned Hawk *** 8/31 9/25 10/10 - -
Western Grebe * 9/2 10/18 10/31 11/19 12/3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/6 9/21 10/10 10/27 11/10
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * 9/7 12/7 After Dec 31 - -
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/8 9/25 10/22 11/24 12/17
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/8 9/23 10/10 10/28 11/10
Red-tailed Hawk *** 9/8 9/28 10/29 11/14 11/25
Marsh Wren ** 9/9 9/22 10/9 10/26 11/9
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/9 9/22 10/24 11/13 11/27
Vesper Sparrow *** 9/9 9/23 10/8 10/26 11/8
Spotted Towhee *** 9/10 9/22 10/8 10/28 11/10
American Coot *** 9/11 10/3 10/29 11/21 12/10
Western Meadowlark *** 9/11 9/21 10/8 11/3 11/19
Common Grackle *** 9/12 9/23 10/8 10/31 11/16
Yellow-rumped Warbler ****! 9/12 9/25 10/13 10/29 11/10
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/13 9/28 10/18 11/3 11/16
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/14 9/27 10/13 10/30 11/12
Hermit Thrush ** 9/15 9/28 10/15 10/30 -
Sprague's Pipit * 9/15 9/27 10/11 10/28 11/8
Sedge Wren *** 9/16 9/26 10/10 10/26 11/6
White-crowned Sparrow *** 9/16 9/30 10/18 11/3 11/15
Winter Wren * 9/16 10/11 11/3 - -
American Pipit *** 9/17 10/4 10/24 11/12 11/26
Eastern Meadowlark *** 9/17 10/1 10/19 11/5 11/17
Nelson's Sparrow ** 9/17 9/27 10/10 10/25 11/4
Field Sparrow *** 9/18 9/30 10/18 11/6 11/17
Harris's Sparrow *** 9/18 10/6 11/2 - -
Swamp Sparrow *** 9/18 9/30 10/17 11/2 11/13
Le Conte's Sparrow *** 9/21 10/1 10/17 11/1 11/12
Song Sparrow *** 9/21 10/6 10/25 11/9 11/19
Northern Harrier *** 9/24 10/11 10/29 11/12 11/21

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Peregrine Falcon * Before July 1 7/26 9/19 10/10 10/28
Black-bellied Plover * 7/20 7/30 9/29 11/15 11/28
Greater Yellowlegs * - 8/1 10/26 11/13 11/25
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/18 9/18 10/25 11/13
Black-throated Green Warbler * 8/17 9/1 9/19 10/7 10/22
Blue-headed Vireo *** 8/19 9/1 9/18 10/5 10/18
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/8 9/2 9/25 10/20 11/10
American Golden-Plover * 8/6 9/3 9/27 10/23 11/19
Clay-colored Sparrow *** 8/20 9/3 9/24 10/16 10/31
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/11 9/5 9/30 10/26 -
Merlin * 8/16 9/6 10/26 - -
Nashville Warbler *** 8/24 9/6 9/23 10/10 10/24
Sora * 8/18 9/6 9/29 10/22 11/5
Summer Tanager ** 8/28 9/6 9/18 10/5 10/17
Broad-winged Hawk * 8/28 9/7 9/20 10/7 10/19
Osprey *** 8/25 9/7 9/24 10/11 11/12
Turkey Vulture *** 8/20 9/8 9/22 10/16 10/30
American White Pelican ** 8/22 9/9 10/16 11/18 12/9
Eastern Phoebe *** 8/27 9/9 9/23 10/14 10/29
Palm Warbler * 8/31 9/11 9/27 10/13 10/25
Pied-billed Grebe *** 8/30 9/12 10/31 11/20 12/6
Northern Flicker *** 8/30 9/13 10/7 10/26 11/5
Common Yellowthroat *** 9/1 9/15 9/25 10/9 10/14
Indigo Bunting * 9/1 9/15 10/1 10/10 10/21
Canada Goose ** - 9/16 11/25 - -
Franklin's Gull *** 9/1 9/16 10/13 11/10 11/25
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ** 9/6 9/16 9/28 10/19 11/2
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 9/3 9/17 10/3 10/21 11/2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/6 9/21 10/10 10/27 11/10
Western Meadowlark *** 9/11 9/21 10/8 11/3 11/19
Marsh Wren ** 9/9 9/22 10/9 10/26 11/9
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/9 9/22 10/24 11/13 11/27
Spotted Towhee ** 9/10 9/22 10/8 10/28 11/10
Common Grackle *** 9/12 9/23 10/8 10/31 11/16
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/8 9/23 10/10 10/28 11/10
Vesper Sparrow *** 9/9 9/23 10/8 10/26 11/8
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/8 9/25 10/22 11/24 12/17
Sharp-shinned Hawk *** 8/31 9/25 10/10 - -
Yellow-rumped Warbler ****! 9/12 9/25 10/13 10/29 11/10

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Killdeer *** Before July 1 7/4 8/2 11/3 11/28
Cattle Egret * - - 8/5 9/30 11/3
Chimney Swift *** - 7/25 8/10 10/10 10/25
Green Heron ** Before July 1 7/2 8/11 9/18 10/10
Snowy Egret ** Before July 1 7/5 8/18 10/2 10/24
Wood Duck ** Before July 1 7/1 8/19 10/27 11/19
Lesser Yellowlegs ** - Before July 1 8/21 9/18 11/15
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** Before July 1 8/5 8/22 9/19 10/6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 8/2 8/15 8/27 9/21 10/5
Red-headed Woodpecker *** 7/31 8/13 8/27 9/23 10/13
Common Nighthawk *** - - 8/28 9/22 10/8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** Before July 1 7/29 8/28 9/21 10/8
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/11 8/19 8/31 9/19 10/2
Chipping Sparrow *** - - 9/1 10/31 11/14
Common Tern * - - 9/1 10/7 11/1
Mourning Dove *** - - 9/1 10/6 10/26
Olive-sided Flycatcher *** 8/9 8/19 9/2 9/18 9/29
Yellow-throated Vireo ** 8/11 8/20 9/2 9/20 10/2
American Redstart *** 8/10 8/20 9/3 9/20 10/2
Least Flycatcher *** 8/8 8/19 9/3 9/20 10/3
Mourning Warbler * 8/10 8/20 9/3 9/18 9/29
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/10 8/20 9/4 9/20 10/3
Ovenbird ** 8/10 8/20 9/4 9/20 10/2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak ** 8/12 8/22 9/4 9/25 10/10
White-faced Ibis * Before July 1 8/14 9/4 10/1 10/27
Yellow-breasted Chat * 8/20 8/26 9/4 9/24 10/8
Black-crowned Night-Heron * - - 9/5 9/26 10/12
Chestnut-sided Warbler * 8/11 8/21 9/5 9/20 10/2
Say's Phoebe ** 8/12 8/25 9/7 9/28 10/11
Swainson's Hawk *** 7/28 8/21 9/7 10/4 10/21
Magnolia Warbler * 8/13 8/24 9/9 9/25 10/7
Red-necked Phalarope * 7/1 8/25 9/9 9/30 10/14
House Wren *** 8/25 9/1 9/10 10/3 10/19
Sanderling * 7/1 7/28 9/10 10/3 10/21
Tennessee Warbler ** 8/7 8/22 9/10 9/30 10/16
White-eyed Vireo ** 8/19 8/28 9/10 9/29 10/11
Blackpoll Warbler * 8/15 8/27 9/11 9/27 10/8
Brown Thrasher *** 8/19 8/30 9/11 9/30 10/12
Caspian Tern * 7/1 8/15 9/11 9/30 10/13
Gray Catbird *** 8/18 8/30 9/11 10/1 10/14
Great Egret *** - 7/15 9/11 10/16 11/10
Northern Parula ** 8/17 8/27 9/11 9/29 10/11
Western Tanager * 8/19 8/29 9/11 9/28 10/9
Philadelphia Vireo * 8/15 8/27 9/12 9/29 10/10
Warbling Vireo *** 8/10 9/6 9/12 9/21 10/3
Swainson's Thrush *** 8/18 8/30 9/13 9/29 10/10
Yellow-headed Blackbird *** 8/15 9/5 9/15 9/30 10/12
Blue-headed Vireo ** 8/19 9/1 9/18 10/5 10/18
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/18 9/18 10/25 11/13
Summer Tanager *** 8/28 9/6 9/18 10/5 10/17
Black-throated Green Warbler * 8/17 9/1 9/19 10/7 10/22
Peregrine Falcon * Before July 1 7/26 9/19 10/10 10/28
Broad-winged Hawk * 8/28 9/7 9/20 10/7 10/19
Turkey Vulture *** 8/20 9/8 9/22 10/16 10/30
Eastern Phoebe *** 8/27 9/9 9/23 10/14 10/29
Nashville Warbler *** 8/24 9/6 9/23 10/10 10/24
Clay-colored Sparrow *** 8/20 9/3 9/24 10/16 10/31
Osprey *** 8/25 9/7 9/24 10/11 11/12
Common Yellowthroat *** 9/1 9/15 9/25 10/9 10/14
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/8 9/2 9/25 10/20 11/10

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** - - Before July 1 7/15 10/19
Piping Plover * - - 7/26 8/12 9/24
Yellow-billed Cuckoo *** - - Before July 1 8/22 10/4
Least Bittern * - - Before July 1 8/25 9/30
Pectoral Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/20 8/10 8/26 10/20
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - Before July 1 7/31 8/26 10/5
Prothonotary Warbler * - - Before July 1 8/30 9/24
Cliff Swallow *** - - Before July 1 9/2 9/25
Short-billed Dowitcher * Before July 1 7/6 8/7 9/2 10/4
Tree Swallow ** - - Before July 1 9/4 11/8
Eastern Kingbird *** Before July 1 7/25 8/7 9/6 9/22
Marbled Godwit * - - Before July 1 9/8 10/2
Willet * - - Before July 1 9/8 10/5
Alder Flycatcher * 7/26 8/7 8/23 9/9 9/21
Lark Sparrow *** - - Before July 1 9/10 9/28
Mississippi Kite *** Before July 1 8/1 8/18 9/10 9/23
Baird's Sandpiper ** ]+D11 7/10 8/13 9/11 10/3
Bell's Vireo *** 8/5 8/11 8/20 9/11 9/24
Baltimore Oriole *** 8/6 8/14 8/26 9/12 9/23
Buff-breasted Sandpiper * 7/23 8/3 8/21 9/12 9/29
Snowy Plover * - - Before July 1 9/12 10/3
Solitary Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/6 8/16 9/12 9/28
Spotted Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/6 8/7 9/12 10/1
Bank Swallow *** Before July 1 7/5 8/12 9/13 9/29
Lark Bunting ** - - 8/17 9/13 9/30
Black Tern *** Before July 1 7/5 8/17 9/14 10/2
Canada Warbler ** 8/6 8/17 8/30 9/14 9/24
Semipalmated Sandpiper *** 7/1 7/15 8/15 9/14 10/3
Blackburnian Warbler * 8/3 8/15 8/30 9/15 9/27
Forster's Tern ** Before July 1 7/26 8/20 9/15 10/26
Great Crested Flycatcher *** 8/11 8/17 8/25 9/15 9/27
Northern Waterthrush ** 8/7 8/17 8/31 9/15 9/25
Stilt Sandpiper ** Before July 1 7/8 8/26 9/15 9/30
Wilson's Phalarope *** - Before July 1 8/21 9/15 10/2
Least Sandpiper *** - 7/10 8/26 9/16 9/30
Little Blue Heron ** - 7/10 8/24 9/16 10/2
Black-necked Stilt * - - 8/7 9/17 10/4
Semipalmated Plover ** 7/1 7/21 8/19 9/17 10/11
Western Wood-Pewee * - Before July 1 7/20 9/17 9/29
Yellow Warbler *** 8/1 8/12 8/26 9/17 10/1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher * 8/6 8/17 9/1 9/17 9/28
Green Heron *** Before July 1 7/2 8/11 9/18 10/10
Lesser Yellowlegs ** - Before July 1 8/21 9/18 11/15
Mourning Warbler * 8/10 8/20 9/3 9/18 9/29
Olive-sided Flycatcher *** 8/9 8/19 9/2 9/18 9/29
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** Before July 1 8/5 8/22 9/19 10/6
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/11 8/19 8/31 9/19 10/2
American Redstart *** 8/10 8/20 9/3 9/20 10/2
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/10 8/20 9/4 9/20 10/3
Chestnut-sided Warbler ** 8/11 8/21 9/5 9/20 10/2
Least Flycatcher *** 8/8 8/19 9/3 9/20 10/3
Ovenbird ** 8/10 8/20 9/4 9/20 10/2
Yellow-throated Vireo ** 8/11 8/20 9/2 9/20 10/2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher *** 8/2 8/15 8/27 9/21 10/5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird *** Before July 1 7/29 8/28 9/21 10/8
Warbling Vireo *** 8/10 9/6 9/12 9/21 10/3
Common Nighthawk *** - - 8/28 9/22 10/8
Red-headed Woodpecker *** 7/31 8/13 8/27 9/23 10/13
Yellow-breasted Chat * 8/20 8/26 9/4 9/24 10/8
Magnolia Warbler * 8/13 8/24 9/9 9/25 10/7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak ** 8/12 8/22 9/4 9/25 10/10

West

The weekend sees light to moderate flights extending from the Pacific Northwest south along the coast and east into the Desert Southwest. Much of the remainder of the region will be noticeably quieter as these flights unfold. By the beginning of the workweek, this pattern changes – northern portions of the West will see a patchwork of favorable conditions that will spawn light to moderate flights; but southerly reaches of the West will see migration shut down as precipitation arrives and unfavorable winds. Note that some areas directly along the Pacific Coast may experience flights of similar intensity to those on the weekend continuing into this early week period. By the end of the week, similar sparse favorable conditions will bring patches of light to moderate flights, although most of the action will be east of the Rockies.

Screenshot 2015-09-18 13.21.51

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Ring-billed Gull ** Before July 1 11/2 11/22 12/5 -
Pied-billed Grebe ** 7/27 10/18 11/11 11/29 -
Northern Harrier ** 8/12 10/29 11/20 - -
Marsh Wren ** 8/19 9/27 10/30 11/21 -
Red-necked Grebe * 8/26 10/20 11/6 11/22 -
Prothonotary Warbler * 8/28 9/18 10/4 10/21 11/1
Eared Grebe *** 8/30 9/29 11/9 11/29 12/11
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/2 9/26 10/17 10/29 11/8
American Wigeon *** 9/3 10/19 11/20 12/4 12/16
White-crowned Sparrow ****! 9/4 9/20 10/14 10/26 11/6
American Coot *** 9/5 10/13 11/17 12/5 -
American Robin * 9/6 12/2 12/23 - -
Northern Flicker *** 9/6 9/27 10/20 11/5 11/20
Yellow-green Vireo * 9/7 9/19 10/5 10/22 11/2
Greater White-fronted Goose ** 9/8 9/21 10/8 - -
Red-naped Sapsucker * 9/8 9/22 10/9 10/24 11/4
Fox Sparrow *** 9/9 9/24 10/19 - -
Western Meadowlark *** 9/10 9/27 10/22 11/8 12/6
Golden-crowned Sparrow *** 9/12 9/27 10/21 10/30 11/7
Sandhill Crane * 9/12 9/24 11/18 12/3 12/12
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper * 9/12 9/24 10/8 10/24 11/4
Palm Warbler * 9/13 9/27 10/18 11/5 11/29
Varied Thrush ** 9/14 9/29 After Dec 31 - -
Golden-crowned Kinglet ** 9/14 10/3 10/26 11/11 11/21
Magnolia Warbler * 9/15 9/26 10/10 10/26 11/6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ****! 9/15 10/3 12/16 - -
Western Grebe *** 9/15 10/14 11/5 11/24 12/9
Chestnut-collared Longspur * 9/17 10/3 10/25 11/12 11/30
White-throated Sparrow ** 9/17 10/3 10/25 - -
Black-throated Blue Warbler * 9/18 9/28 10/12 10/26 11/6
Cackling Goose ** 9/18 10/5 11/22 12/7 12/19
Harris's Sparrow * 9/18 10/14 After Dec 31 - -
Red-throated Pipit * 9/19 10/2 10/19 11/6 11/19
Ruddy Duck *** 9/19 10/13 11/14 - -
White-winged Scoter * 9/20 10/22 11/10 11/26 12/7
Dark-eyed Junco *** 9/21 10/9 12/16 After Dec 31 -
Hermit Thrush *** 9/21 10/5 10/28 11/7 11/15
Horned Grebe *** 9/21 10/18 11/11 11/26 12/6
Dunlin ** 9/22 10/11 11/6 11/24 12/8
Herring Gull ** 9/22 10/24 11/26 12/11 After Dec 31
Ring-necked Duck *** 9/24 10/17 12/7 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
California Gull * Before July 1 7/14 11/9 11/26 12/10
Black-bellied Plover * Before July 1 7/23 10/8 - -
Black-throated Gray Warbler * 7/30 8/13 9/30 10/22 11/4
Green-winged Teal ** 8/7 8/20 11/21 - -
Northern Shoveler *** 8/5 8/20 11/22 - -
Blue-winged Teal * 8/6 8/21 9/28 10/24 11/8
Buller's Shearwater * 7/28 8/21 9/21 10/22 11/15
Northern Pintail ** 8/9 8/22 11/19 - -
Sora * 8/3 8/23 9/22 - -
Black-and-white Warbler * 8/10 8/27 10/5 10/31 11/17
Savannah Sparrow *** 8/13 8/29 9/27 10/21 11/9
Pomarine Jaeger * 7/20 8/30 9/25 10/22 11/14
Townsend's Warbler *** 8/12 8/30 9/30 10/27 11/10
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 8/17 9/1 9/20 10/11 10/28
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 8/12 9/2 9/22 10/12 10/29
Prairie Warbler * 8/21 9/3 9/19 10/5 10/17
Parasitic Jaeger * 8/21 9/4 9/20 10/8 10/22
Sabine's Gull * 8/15 9/4 9/21 10/6 10/17
Tennessee Warbler * 8/22 9/4 9/21 10/8 10/22
Belted Kingfisher ** 8/15 9/5 10/27 11/10 -
Red-throated Loon * 8/25 9/5 9/20 9/28 10/2
Black Phoebe ** 8/20 9/6 10/30 - -
Red-shouldered Hawk ** 8/19 9/6 10/3 10/23 -
Bobolink * 8/25 9/6 9/22 10/8 10/21
Chestnut-sided Warbler * 8/26 9/7 9/24 10/9 10/24
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/1 9/7 10/1 11/2 11/19
Blackburnian Warbler * 8/25 9/8 9/28 10/17 11/7
Blackpoll Warbler * 8/28 9/8 9/24 10/9 10/22
Brewer's Blackbird ** 8/23 9/8 9/28 10/16 11/10
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 8/23 9/9 10/22 11/8 -
South Polar Skua * 7/26 9/10 9/25 10/15 10/30
Red-winged Blackbird ** 8/24 9/11 10/10 10/31 11/21
Red-tailed Hawk *** 8/18 9/12 After Dec 31 - -
Broad-winged Hawk * 9/2 9/12 9/27 10/13 10/24
Mountain Bluebird * 9/6 9/12 9/22 10/15 10/29
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 8/30 9/13 10/5 10/22 11/8
Merlin * 8/29 9/13 12/22 - -
Say's Phoebe *** 8/30 9/13 10/1 - -
American Pipit ** 8/30 9/14 11/7 - -
Flesh-footed Shearwater * 8/31 9/16 10/2 10/21 11/4
Prothonotary Warbler * 8/28 9/18 10/4 10/21 11/1
Yellow-green Vireo * 9/7 9/19 10/5 10/22 11/2
White-crowned Sparrow ****! 9/4 9/20 10/14 10/26 11/6
Greater White-fronted Goose ** 9/8 9/21 10/8 - -
Red-naped Sapsucker * 9/8 9/22 10/9 10/24 11/4
Fox Sparrow *** 9/9 9/24 10/19 - -
Sandhill Crane * 9/12 9/24 11/18 12/3 12/12
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper * 9/12 9/24 10/8 10/24 11/4

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Olive-sided Flycatcher * - - Before July 1 9/19 10/3
Plumbeous Vireo * - - 7/15 9/22 10/6
Summer Tanager * - - 7/27 10/3 10/15
Bell's Vireo * - Before July 1 7/28 9/26 10/12
Whimbrel * Before July 1 7/10 8/5 10/3 -
Western Wood-Pewee *** - - 8/7 9/26 10/12
Zone-tailed Hawk * Before July 1 7/17 8/9 9/23 10/11
Swainson's Hawk ** - 7/26 8/14 9/27 10/13
Black Tern * Before July 1 7/24 8/15 9/24 10/8
Mourning Dove *** - Before July 1 8/17 9/22 10/8
Lark Sparrow ** 7/21 8/1 8/19 9/19 10/5
Spotted Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/3 8/21 9/19 10/4
Black-necked Stilt ** Before July 1 7/1 8/22 9/18 10/7
Barn Swallow *** - Before July 1 8/23 9/25 10/12
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel * 7/16 7/30 8/23 10/7 10/23
Wandering Tattler * Before July 1 7/20 8/24 9/24 10/16
White-faced Ibis ** Before July 1 7/4 8/26 9/25 10/16
Sage Thrasher * - - 8/29 9/24 10/20
Green Heron * - Before July 1 8/30 9/23 10/18
American Avocet * - Before July 1 8/31 9/28 10/20
Gray Catbird ** 8/10 8/19 8/31 9/19 10/2
Tufted Puffin * - - 8/31 9/24 10/11
American White Pelican * Before July 1 8/17 9/1 9/26 12/11
Red-necked Phalarope *** 8/2 8/16 9/1 9/19 10/5
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 7/29 8/10 9/2 10/28 11/14
Yellow-headed Blackbird ** 8/12 8/21 9/2 9/24 10/11
Franklin's Gull * Before July 1 7/1 9/3 10/3 11/1
Willow Flycatcher *** 8/9 8/20 9/3 9/23 10/7
MacGillivray's Warbler *** 8/8 8/19 9/4 9/23 10/7
Nashville Warbler ** 8/2 8/16 9/4 9/23 10/12
Northern Waterthrush * 8/9 8/20 9/4 9/19 10/3
Cinnamon Teal * 7/31 8/16 9/5 9/28 10/14
Arctic Tern * 7/18 8/8 9/5 9/30 10/17
Brown Thrasher * 8/12 8/21 9/5 9/21 10/6
Gray Flycatcher * 8/9 8/22 9/5 9/25 10/7
Black Storm-Petrel * Before July 1 8/21 9/6 10/21 11/1
Cassin's Vireo * 8/11 8/22 9/6 9/25 10/8
Hammond's Flycatcher * 8/13 8/22 9/6 9/24 10/7
Least Flycatcher * 8/11 8/21 9/6 9/24 10/8
Western Tanager *** 8/15 8/25 9/7 9/28 10/12
Brewer's Sparrow ** 8/6 8/21 9/8 9/28 10/11
Chipping Sparrow ** 8/7 8/20 9/8 10/11 11/5
Killdeer ** 8/4 8/19 9/8 9/30 11/20
Swainson's Thrush ** 8/19 8/26 9/8 9/24 10/10
Wilson's Warbler *** 8/8 8/22 9/8 9/28 10/12
Yellow Warbler *** 8/5 8/19 9/8 10/3 10/21
House Wren ** 8/14 8/24 9/9 9/29 11/8
Warbling Vireo *** 8/14 8/25 9/9 9/29 10/13
American Redstart * 8/11 8/23 9/10 9/27 10/11
Ruff * 7/27 8/26 9/10 9/27 10/9
Ashy Storm-Petrel * Before July 1 8/18 9/11 10/8 10/26
Black-footed Albatross * Before July 1 7/21 9/12 10/11 11/5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher * 8/9 8/24 9/12 9/30 10/13
Long-tailed Jaeger * 7/19 8/29 9/12 10/1 10/13
Pacific-slope Flycatcher *** 8/19 8/28 9/12 10/4 10/20
Sooty Shearwater * Before July 1 8/28 9/12 10/2 10/16
Black Turnstone * 7/3 7/19 9/14 11/26 12/7
Green-tailed Towhee ** 8/21 9/1 9/14 10/1 10/12
Turkey Vulture *** 8/23 9/3 9/14 10/6 10/19
Elegant Tern * Before July 1 7/21 9/15 10/5 11/26
Pink-footed Shearwater * Before July 1 8/15 9/15 10/19 11/12
Vesper Sparrow ** 8/17 8/30 9/15 10/3 10/17
Heermann's Gull * - Before July 1 9/16 10/7 12/1
Common Tern * 8/19 9/1 9/16 10/3 10/16
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/17 8/29 9/16 10/9 10/28
Vaux's Swift ** 8/26 9/5 9/16 10/7 10/21
Clay-colored Sparrow * 8/14 8/28 9/17 10/6 11/2
Prairie Warbler * 8/21 9/3 9/19 10/5 10/17
Red-throated Loon * 8/25 9/5 9/20 9/28 10/2
Parasitic Jaeger * 8/21 9/4 9/20 10/8 10/22
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 8/17 9/1 9/20 10/11 10/28
Buller's Shearwater * 7/28 8/21 9/21 10/22 11/15
Sabine's Gull * 8/15 9/4 9/21 10/6 10/17
Tennessee Warbler * 8/22 9/4 9/21 10/8 10/22
Bobolink * 8/25 9/6 9/22 10/8 10/21
Mountain Bluebird * 9/6 9/12 9/22 10/15 10/29
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 8/12 9/2 9/22 10/12 10/29
Blackpoll Warbler * 8/28 9/8 9/24 10/9 10/22
Chestnut-sided Warbler * 8/26 9/7 9/24 10/9 10/24
Pomarine Jaeger * 7/20 8/30 9/25 10/22 11/14
South Polar Skua * 7/26 9/10 9/25 10/15 10/30

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black Swift * - - Before July 1 7/3 9/25
Violet-green Swallow ** - - Before July 1 7/26 10/15
Lucy's Warbler * - - Before July 1 7/27 10/16
Yellow-breasted Chat * - - Before July 1 7/28 9/29
Indigo Bunting * - Before July 1 7/21 8/11 10/2
Hooded Oriole ** - Before July 1 7/22 8/21 9/20
White-winged Dove *** - Before July 1 7/29 8/27 9/19
Yellow-billed Cuckoo * - Before July 1 7/28 8/28 9/19
Common Nighthawk ** - - 8/4 9/1 9/22
Black-headed Grosbeak *** - - Before July 1 9/2 9/30
Grace's Warbler * Before July 1 7/22 8/4 9/2 9/20
Broad-tailed Hummingbird *** - Before July 1 7/28 9/3 9/26
Calliope Hummingbird * - Before July 1 7/27 9/3 9/23
* - - - 9/4 9/29
Caspian Tern *** - Before July 1 7/31 9/6 9/24
Mississippi Kite * - Before July 1 8/4 9/6 10/1
Hermit Warbler * 7/28 8/6 8/22 9/7 10/26
Purple Martin * - Before July 1 8/3 9/7 9/22
Ruddy Turnstone * Before July 1 7/13 8/21 9/8 12/5
Rufous Hummingbird *** Before July 1 7/1 8/1 9/8 9/25
Lark Bunting * 7/25 8/4 8/21 9/9 9/26
Semipalmated Sandpiper * Before July 1 7/31 8/19 9/9 9/22
Snowy Plover * Before July 1 7/4 8/10 9/9 10/4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** - - Before July 1 9/10 9/27
Western Kingbird *** - - 7/13 9/10 9/26
Wilson's Phalarope ** Before July 1 7/13 8/11 9/11 10/3
Bank Swallow ** - Before July 1 8/18 9/12 9/28
Black-chinned Hummingbird *** Before July 1 7/16 8/9 9/13 10/4
Least Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/15 8/28 9/13 9/25
Short-billed Dowitcher ** Before July 1 7/4 8/28 9/13 9/24
Greater Yellowlegs * Before July 1 7/10 8/30 9/14 12/11
Lesser Yellowlegs * Before July 1 8/9 8/26 9/14 10/20
Semipalmated Plover *** Before July 1 7/13 8/26 9/14 9/28
Solitary Sandpiper ** 7/25 8/11 8/26 9/14 9/27
Baird's Sandpiper ** 7/30 8/13 8/29 9/15 9/29
Red-headed Woodpecker * 8/8 8/18 8/31 9/15 9/26
Stilt Sandpiper * Before July 1 7/17 8/31 9/15 9/27
Western Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/8 8/29 9/15 10/6
Blue Grosbeak ** Before July 1 7/1 7/31 9/16 10/12
Buff-breasted Sandpiper * 8/9 8/19 9/2 9/16 9/26
Osprey ** 8/4 8/14 8/26 9/16 10/18
Lazuli Bunting ** 8/5 8/11 8/20 9/17 10/10
Red-eyed Vireo * 8/11 8/19 8/30 9/17 9/29
Virginia's Warbler * 8/3 8/14 8/27 9/17 10/2
Black-necked Stilt ** Before July 1 7/1 8/22 9/18 10/7
Gray Catbird ** 8/10 8/19 8/31 9/19 10/2
Lark Sparrow ** 7/21 8/1 8/19 9/19 10/5
Northern Waterthrush * 8/9 8/20 9/4 9/19 10/3
Olive-sided Flycatcher ** - - Before July 1 9/19 10/3
Red-necked Phalarope *** 8/2 8/16 9/1 9/19 10/5
Spotted Sandpiper *** Before July 1 7/3 8/21 9/19 10/4
Brown Thrasher * 8/12 8/21 9/5 9/21 10/6
Mourning Dove *** - Before July 1 8/17 9/22 10/8
Plumbeous Vireo * - - 7/15 9/22 10/6
Green Heron * - Before July 1 8/30 9/23 10/18
MacGillivray's Warbler *** 8/8 8/19 9/4 9/23 10/7
Nashville Warbler ** 8/2 8/16 9/4 9/23 10/12
Willow Flycatcher *** 8/9 8/20 9/3 9/23 10/7
Zone-tailed Hawk * Before July 1 7/17 8/9 9/23 10/11
Black Tern * Before July 1 7/24 8/15 9/24 10/8
Hammond's Flycatcher * 8/13 8/22 9/6 9/24 10/7
Least Flycatcher * 8/11 8/21 9/6 9/24 10/8
Sage Thrasher * - - 8/29 9/24 10/20
Swainson's Thrush ** 8/19 8/26 9/8 9/24 10/10
Tufted Puffin * - - 8/31 9/24 10/11
Wandering Tattler * Before July 1 7/20 8/24 9/24 10/16
Yellow-headed Blackbird ** 8/12 8/21 9/2 9/24 10/11
Barn Swallow *** - Before July 1 8/23 9/25 10/12
Cassin's Vireo ** 8/11 8/22 9/6 9/25 10/8
Gray Flycatcher * 8/9 8/22 9/5 9/25 10/7
White-faced Ibis ** Before July 1 7/4 8/26 9/25 10/16

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Farnsworth and Van Doren

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