Forecast and Analysis

Regional Migration Forecast: 21-28 October 2016

Andrew Farnsworth The Cornell Lab Oct 21, 2016

Brant. Tom Auer/Macaulay Library. eBird S32088269.

Brant. Tom Auer/Macaulay Library. eBird S32088269.

Continental Summary

Favorable migration conditions in the West will be localized and mostly occur at the end of the forecast period, when light to moderate movements, mostly in the northern reaches of the region, will feature Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Red-tailed Hawk, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush and American Pipit; meanwhile, the East will see a major frontal passage and arrival of cooler air that will usher moderate to very heavy movements to the region that feature Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Sandhill Crane, Belted Kingfisher, American Kestrel, House Wren, Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, and Purple Finch.

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!

Additionally, 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.

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

A major cold front will bring more typical autumn conditions to the region after a long period of warmth, ushering in moderate to very heavy movements across much of the region through the weekend. This is a strong system, with heavy precipitation, some snow, and lots of wind. Aside from exercising caution, birders should be watchful as the frontal boundary passes, as this transition zone may be associated with local waterfowl fallouts and perhaps the arrival of some Franklin’s Gulls (and other vagrants to the region) from points farther west. Whether or not this system, which is not necessarily the classic strong mid latitude cyclone that deposits vagrants in the East, produces, please report any frontal passage related observations (if you go birding, safety first!) to eBird. Similarly intense and extensive movements will occur through Monday night, as high pressure builds into the region. Several days of good conditions for morning flight are likely, so those in coastal areas should plan accordingly with strong NW and W winds. The next disturbance moves into the region by the middle of the work week, and migration begins to grind to a halt. Movements will be localized and moderate in intensity to end the period. Note, however, that the end of the period will see more favorable migration conditions arrive in the Upper Midwest, where heavier flights will occur.

Fox Sparrow. Jeremy Coleman/Macaulay Library. eBird S32123292.

Fox Sparrow. Jeremy Coleman/Macaulay Library. eBird S32123292.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Great Cormorant * 9/5 11/16 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/7 10/23 11/9 11/17 11/24
Greater Scaup * 10/9 10/22 After Nov 30 - -
Red-necked Grebe * 10/11 10/23 11/5 11/15 11/23
Red-throated Loon ** 10/11 10/28 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback * 10/12 10/23 After Nov 30 - -
Lesser Scaup *** 10/12 10/25 11/14 11/20 After Nov 30
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/12 10/25 11/11 After Nov 30 -
White-winged Scoter ** 10/12 10/24 11/6 11/13 11/18
Common Loon *** 10/14 10/26 11/11 11/24 After Nov 30
Horned Grebe *** 10/15 10/26 11/11 11/17 11/22
Common Merganser ** 10/16 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Red-breasted Merganser *** 10/16 11/1 After Nov 30 - -
Long-tailed Duck *** 10/18 10/27 After Nov 30 - -
Bufflehead ****! 10/20 10/30 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Hooded Merganser *** 10/20 11/3 After Nov 30 - -
Common Goldeneye *** 10/24 11/29 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
American Pipit ** 9/10 9/22 10/24 11/11 11/25
Rusty Blackbird ** 9/19 10/3 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30
American Wigeon ** 9/23 10/8 10/28 11/10 11/29
Purple Finch *** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/8 After Nov 30
Northern Harrier ** 8/2 10/9 10/21 11/2 11/13
Pine Siskin *** 9/27 10/10 10/28 11/11 After Nov 30
Green-winged Teal ** 8/13 10/11 10/24 After Nov 30 -
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/4 10/11 10/31 11/20 After Nov 30
Northern Shoveler * 8/9 10/12 11/8 After Nov 30 -
Northern Pintail ** 9/5 10/12 10/27 11/7 After Nov 30
Vesper Sparrow * 10/5 10/12 10/21 11/2 11/10
Brant ** 10/1 10/13 10/30 11/8 11/15
American Black Duck ** 9/23 10/14 After Nov 30 - -
Dark-eyed Junco ****! 9/28 10/14 11/10 11/16 11/22
Fox Sparrow *** 9/28 10/16 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck *** 9/29 10/17 11/8 11/23 After Nov 30
Dunlin ** 9/13 10/17 10/29 11/11 11/22
Gadwall ** 10/4 10/19 11/12 11/22 After Nov 30
Redhead * 9/28 10/19 11/14 11/18 11/20
Surf Scoter * 9/25 10/19 11/4 11/12 11/17
Greater Scaup * 10/9 10/22 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback * 10/12 10/23 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/7 10/23 11/9 11/17 11/24
Red-necked Grebe * 10/11 10/23 11/5 11/15 11/23
White-winged Scoter ** 10/12 10/24 11/6 11/13 11/18
Lesser Scaup ** 10/12 10/25 11/14 11/20 After Nov 30
Bonaparte's Gull ** 10/12 10/25 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Common Loon *** 10/14 10/26 11/11 11/24 After Nov 30
Horned Grebe *** 10/15 10/26 11/11 11/17 11/22
Long-tailed Duck ** 10/18 10/27 After Nov 30 - -
Red-throated Loon ** 10/11 10/28 After Nov 30 - -

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Killdeer *** - - Before Aug 1 10/25 11/24
Tree Swallow *** - 8/2 8/9 10/25 11/6
Great Egret *** - 8/2 8/13 10/22 11/5
Laughing Gull ** - 8/2 8/14 After Nov 30 -
Greater Yellowlegs ** - 8/2 8/20 11/11 After Nov 30
Wood Duck ** - 8/2 8/21 11/2 11/22
Royal Tern * - 8/2 8/21 11/8 After Nov 30
Blue-winged Teal ** 8/2 8/19 9/7 10/22 11/5
Turkey Vulture *** 8/28 9/6 9/19 10/27 After Nov 30
Merlin * 8/26 9/4 9/20 10/26 11/6
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/26 9/5 9/21 11/10 11/19
American Kestrel ** 8/29 9/6 9/26 10/22 11/2
Blue Jay *** 8/23 9/8 9/28 10/30 11/26
Palm Warbler *** 9/2 9/21 10/6 10/21 11/1
Eastern Towhee *** 9/23 9/30 10/9 10/23 11/3
Cooper's Hawk *** 8/2 9/7 10/11 10/28 11/8
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/19 9/29 10/12 10/26 11/7
Chipping Sparrow *** 9/16 10/2 10/12 10/29 11/9
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/12 9/26 10/12 10/29 11/12
American Robin *** 9/13 9/24 10/13 11/8 After Nov 30
Swamp Sparrow *** 9/20 9/30 10/13 10/27 11/10
Brown Creeper ** 9/19 9/29 10/14 10/24 11/5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/18 9/30 10/14 10/28 11/8
Song Sparrow *** 9/19 10/1 10/14 10/28 11/10
Winter Wren ** 9/17 9/28 10/15 10/28 11/8
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** 9/22 10/1 10/15 11/6 11/18
White-crowned Sparrow *** 9/23 10/2 10/15 10/27 11/6
Wilson's Snipe * 9/24 10/3 10/16 10/29 After Nov 30
Eastern Meadowlark * 9/17 10/2 10/16 10/30 11/11
Sharp-shinned Hawk *** 8/31 9/10 10/17 10/30 After Nov 30
Eastern Bluebird ** 9/12 9/27 10/18 11/12 After Nov 30
Field Sparrow *** 9/29 10/8 10/18 10/30 11/8
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/18 9/30 10/18 10/31 11/12
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/24 10/4 10/18 11/6 After Nov 30
Common Grackle *** 10/2 10/8 10/18 11/7 After Nov 30
Hermit Thrush *** 9/25 10/6 10/19 10/31 11/10
Northern Harrier ** 8/2 10/9 10/21 11/2 11/13
Vesper Sparrow ** 10/5 10/12 10/21 11/2 11/10
Rusty Blackbird ** 9/19 10/3 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30
Green-winged Teal *** 8/13 10/11 10/24 After Nov 30 -
Purple Finch ** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/8 After Nov 30
American Pipit ** 9/10 9/22 10/24 11/11 11/25
Northern Pintail * 9/5 10/12 10/27 11/7 After Nov 30
American Wigeon * 9/23 10/8 10/28 11/10 11/29
Pine Siskin ** 9/27 10/10 10/28 11/11 After Nov 30

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black Skimmer * - - Before Aug 1 8/3 10/28
Little Blue Heron * - 8/2 8/9 8/25 10/24
Black-crowned Night-Heron * - 8/2 8/9 8/25 10/27
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** - - Before Aug 1 8/25 10/25
Black-bellied Plover * - 8/2 8/18 8/27 After Nov 30
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 8/11 8/17 8/23 9/7 11/13
Caspian Tern ** - 8/2 8/20 9/12 10/22
Cedar Waxwing *** - 8/2 8/17 9/25 After Nov 30
Forster's Tern * - 8/2 8/16 9/26 After Nov 30
House Wren *** 8/30 9/5 9/15 10/7 10/21
Blackpoll Warbler *** 8/28 9/7 9/22 10/8 10/23
Gray Catbird *** 8/28 9/8 9/18 10/9 10/22
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/24 9/2 9/17 10/9 10/23
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - 8/2 8/6 10/10 10/28
Northern Flicker *** 8/30 9/12 9/25 10/10 10/30
Nashville Warbler *** 8/23 9/3 9/20 10/10 10/22
Sora * 8/12 8/21 9/24 10/12 10/25
Pine Warbler *** 8/23 9/4 9/21 10/12 10/26
Indigo Bunting *** 9/10 9/16 9/25 10/12 10/21
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 8/23 9/2 9/25 10/14 10/23
Belted Kingfisher *** - 8/2 9/19 10/16 10/29
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/16 9/25 10/5 10/16 10/24
Snowy Egret ** - 8/2 8/11 10/17 10/31
Peregrine Falcon *** 8/2 9/23 10/4 10/17 10/28
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 8/12 9/4 10/2 10/17 After Nov 30
Marsh Wren ** 9/7 9/19 9/30 10/17 10/29
Eastern Phoebe *** 9/9 9/18 9/30 10/18 11/3
Osprey *** - 8/2 8/15 10/19 11/4
Blue-headed Vireo *** 9/8 9/21 10/4 10/19 10/31
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/10 9/22 10/5 10/19 10/31
Great Blue Heron *** - 8/2 8/15 10/20 After Nov 30
Palm Warbler *** 9/2 9/21 10/6 10/21 11/1
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/19 9/7 10/22 11/5
Great Egret *** - 8/2 8/13 10/22 11/5
American Kestrel *** 8/29 9/6 9/26 10/22 11/2
Eastern Towhee *** 9/23 9/30 10/9 10/23 11/3
Brown Creeper ** 9/19 9/29 10/14 10/24 11/5
Killdeer *** - - Before Aug 1 10/25 11/24
Tree Swallow *** - 8/2 8/9 10/25 11/6
Merlin *** 8/26 9/4 9/20 10/26 11/6
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/19 9/29 10/12 10/26 11/7
Turkey Vulture *** 8/28 9/6 9/19 10/27 After Nov 30
Swamp Sparrow *** 9/20 9/30 10/13 10/27 11/10
White-crowned Sparrow *** 9/23 10/2 10/15 10/27 11/6
Cooper's Hawk *** 8/2 9/7 10/11 10/28 11/8
Winter Wren ** 9/17 9/28 10/15 10/28 11/8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/18 9/30 10/14 10/28 11/8
Song Sparrow *** 9/19 10/1 10/14 10/28 11/10

Gulf Coast and Southeast

Moderate to very heavy flights will be widespread to kickoff the weekend, gradually becoming less extensive and more easterly in distribution by the beginning of the work week. As high pressure and more southerly flow return on Monday and Tuesday, particularly west of the Mississippi River, intensities will decline; however, Florida and the coastal southeast will continue to experience moderate to heavy flights until Wednesday. As the next disturbance moves east across the region, favorable migration conditions return to the west of the Mississippi River by Thursday. Moderate to locally heavy flights will follow to end the period, although these will be mostly within a few hundred kilometers of the Gulf coast.

Eastern Meadowlark. Roberta Blair/Macaulay Library. eBird S32088524.

Eastern Meadowlark. Roberta Blair/Macaulay Library. eBird S32088524.

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Great Blue Heron *** 8/2 11/5 11/16 After Nov 30 -
American Avocet * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Northern Harrier *** 9/16 10/27 11/16 After Nov 30 -
Herring Gull ** 9/22 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/25 10/31 11/20 After Nov 30 -
American White Pelican *** 9/29 10/30 11/15 11/21 After Nov 30
Red-tailed Hawk *** 10/1 10/26 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Sandhill Crane ** 10/8 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
American Wigeon *** 10/10 10/30 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Dunlin *** 10/10 10/26 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Green-winged Teal *** 10/11 11/4 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Vesper Sparrow *** 10/12 10/23 11/7 11/15 11/22
Chipping Sparrow *** 10/13 10/24 After Nov 30 - -
Franklin's Gull ** 10/14 10/26 11/7 11/25 After Nov 30
Field Sparrow *** 10/14 10/25 11/14 After Nov 30 -
Pine Siskin ** 10/14 10/30 After Nov 30 - -
Hermit Thrush *** 10/15 10/25 11/11 11/17 11/21
Gadwall *** 10/17 10/30 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 10/17 10/28 11/10 11/18 11/24
Northern Pintail *** 10/18 10/31 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck *** 10/18 11/1 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Common Gallinule *** 10/18 10/28 11/11 11/19 After Nov 30
Common Gallinule *** 10/18 10/28 11/11 11/19 After Nov 30
Dark-eyed Junco *** 10/18 11/2 After Nov 30 - -
Northern Gannet * 10/19 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/20 11/5 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Redhead *** 10/21 11/3 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Eared Grebe * 10/21 11/4 11/24 After Nov 30 -
Black-necked Stilt ** 10/21 10/29 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Northern Shoveler *** 10/22 11/4 11/19 After Nov 30 -
American Pipit *** 10/22 11/4 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Snow Goose *** 10/23 11/5 After Nov 30 - -
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ** 10/24 10/30 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Ross's Goose * 10/24 11/7 After Nov 30 - -
Common Loon *** 10/27 11/8 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback ** 10/28 11/8 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black-bellied Plover * - 8/2 10/31 After Nov 30 -
Caspian Tern * - 8/2 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Blue-winged Teal * 8/8 8/26 11/8 11/29 After Nov 30
Bald Eagle ** 9/3 9/15 11/21 After Nov 30 -
Belted Kingfisher *** 8/13 9/18 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Sora * 8/29 9/21 11/7 11/17 After Nov 30
Sharp-shinned Hawk ** 9/8 9/24 10/28 11/15 After Nov 30
Brown-headed Cowbird ** 9/15 9/27 10/23 After Nov 30 -
American Kestrel *** 9/12 9/29 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Black Vulture ** 8/28 9/30 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Tree Swallow ** 9/24 10/3 11/2 11/14 11/22
Marsh Wren ** 9/20 10/3 11/1 11/18 After Nov 30
Lincoln's Sparrow ** 9/23 10/4 10/31 11/13 11/21
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/22 10/4 11/9 After Nov 30 -
House Wren *** 9/23 10/6 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30
American Bittern * 9/14 10/9 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Eastern Phoebe *** 9/25 10/9 10/30 After Nov 30 -
Common Grackle *** 9/29 10/9 10/21 After Nov 30 -
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/30 10/9 10/24 10/31 11/6
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/27 10/11 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 10/2 10/11 10/23 After Nov 30 -
Sedge Wren * 9/28 10/11 11/2 After Nov 30 -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/26 10/14 11/16 11/24 After Nov 30
Wilson's Snipe ** 9/30 10/15 11/14 After Nov 30 -
Blue-headed Vireo ** 9/3 10/15 10/31 11/8 11/14
Eastern Meadowlark *** 10/2 10/15 11/3 11/23 After Nov 30
Spotted Towhee * 10/5 10/16 After Nov 30 - -
Winter Wren * 10/7 10/17 After Nov 30 - -
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** 10/7 10/17 11/15 After Nov 30 -
Brown Creeper * 10/6 10/18 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 10/6 10/18 After Nov 30 - -
Song Sparrow *** 10/7 10/19 11/17 After Nov 30 -
White-throated Sparrow *** 10/9 10/19 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Western Meadowlark * 10/2 10/19 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Savannah Sparrow *** 10/5 10/20 11/10 11/27 After Nov 30
American Avocet * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Vesper Sparrow ** 10/12 10/23 11/7 11/15 11/22
Chipping Sparrow *** 10/13 10/24 After Nov 30 - -
Hermit Thrush *** 10/15 10/25 11/11 11/17 11/21
Field Sparrow *** 10/14 10/25 11/14 After Nov 30 -
Red-tailed Hawk *** 10/1 10/26 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Dunlin ** 10/10 10/26 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Franklin's Gull * 10/14 10/26 11/7 11/25 After Nov 30
Northern Harrier *** 9/16 10/27 11/16 After Nov 30 -
Common Gallinule ** 10/18 10/28 11/11 11/19 After Nov 30
Common Gallinule ** 10/18 10/28 11/11 11/19 After Nov 30
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 10/17 10/28 11/10 11/18 11/24

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Piping Plover * - 8/2 8/20 After Nov 30 -
Red-headed Woodpecker ** 8/22 9/4 9/18 10/26 11/5
Northern Parula *** 8/11 9/2 9/19 10/24 11/4
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/25 11/5
Ovenbird *** 8/26 9/11 9/25 10/25 11/5
Cape May Warbler * 9/3 9/12 9/25 10/28 11/5
Tennessee Warbler *** 8/31 9/11 10/3 10/23 11/3
Nashville Warbler ** 8/30 9/11 10/4 10/24 11/12
Clay-colored Sparrow * 9/2 9/16 10/4 10/21 11/6
Brown Thrasher *** 9/2 9/22 10/6 10/21 11/3
Common Yellowthroat *** 9/1 9/17 10/6 10/21 11/2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 9/8 9/23 10/7 11/3 11/23
Merlin * 9/8 9/18 10/9 11/2 11/16
Pine Warbler *** 8/15 9/1 10/9 10/26 11/3
Gray Catbird *** 9/16 9/27 10/10 10/23 11/6
Northern Mockingbird *** 9/7 9/23 10/10 10/26 11/22
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 8/28 9/6 10/10 10/25 11/6
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 8/31 9/11 10/11 10/27 11/5
Indigo Bunting *** 9/21 9/30 10/11 10/25 11/5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** 9/25 10/3 10/13 11/2 11/20
Painted Bunting ** 9/28 10/4 10/14 10/29 11/9
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/21 10/17 After Nov 30 -
Northern Flicker *** 9/18 10/1 10/17 10/29 11/8
Eastern Towhee *** 9/10 10/10 10/19 11/1 11/12
Palm Warbler *** 9/15 10/5 10/20 10/31 11/7
Common Grackle *** 9/29 10/9 10/21 After Nov 30 -
Belted Kingfisher ** 8/13 9/18 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 10/2 10/11 10/23 After Nov 30 -
Brown-headed Cowbird * 9/15 9/27 10/23 After Nov 30 -
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/30 10/9 10/24 10/31 11/6
Sharp-shinned Hawk ** 9/8 9/24 10/28 11/15 After Nov 30
House Wren *** 9/23 10/6 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Blue Grosbeak ** - - Before Aug 1 8/24 10/28
Sandwich Tern * - 8/2 8/16 8/27 After Nov 30
Barn Swallow *** - 8/2 8/10 9/9 11/14
Least Sandpiper * - 8/2 8/25 9/15 After Nov 30
Western Sandpiper * 8/2 8/17 8/31 9/15 After Nov 30
Cave Swallow * 8/2 8/28 9/4 9/16 11/21
Dickcissel * 8/21 8/29 9/5 9/20 10/25
Common Tern * - 8/2 8/18 9/30 11/10
Blackburnian Warbler ** 8/26 9/5 9/18 10/3 10/28
Hooded Warbler *** 8/8 8/20 9/20 10/5 10/29
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron * - - Before Aug 1 10/8 10/23
Red-eyed Vireo *** 8/20 9/3 9/17 10/8 10/24
Chestnut-sided Warbler *** 8/23 9/6 9/22 10/9 10/23
Chimney Swift *** 8/23 9/5 9/21 10/11 10/22
White-eyed Vireo *** 8/21 9/2 9/19 10/13 10/28
Swainson's Thrush *** 9/8 9/17 9/29 10/13 10/23
Bobolink * 8/21 9/2 9/20 10/13 10/26
Prairie Warbler *** 8/2 9/7 9/22 10/14 11/3
Scarlet Tanager *** 8/30 9/12 9/28 10/14 10/25
Wood Thrush *** 9/10 9/21 10/2 10/15 10/25
Swainson's Hawk * - 8/2 10/2 10/16 10/28
Rose-breasted Grosbeak *** 9/12 9/21 10/4 10/16 10/26
Eastern Wood-Pewee *** 8/19 9/1 9/17 10/17 11/2
Peregrine Falcon *** 9/15 9/25 10/7 10/18 10/26
American Redstart *** 8/31 9/12 9/26 10/19 11/2
Magnolia Warbler *** 8/31 9/13 10/1 10/19 10/31
Yellow-throated Warbler *** 8/2 9/3 9/25 10/20 11/4
Brown Thrasher *** 9/2 9/22 10/6 10/21 11/3
Common Yellowthroat *** 9/1 9/17 10/6 10/21 11/2
Clay-colored Sparrow * 9/2 9/16 10/4 10/21 11/6
Gray Catbird *** 9/16 9/27 10/10 10/23 11/6
Tennessee Warbler *** 8/31 9/11 10/3 10/23 11/3
Nashville Warbler *** 8/30 9/11 10/4 10/24 11/12
Northern Parula *** 8/11 9/2 9/19 10/24 11/4
Ovenbird *** 8/26 9/11 9/25 10/25 11/5
Black-and-white Warbler *** 8/22 9/5 9/22 10/25 11/5
Black-throated Green Warbler *** 8/28 9/6 10/10 10/25 11/6
Indigo Bunting *** 9/21 9/30 10/11 10/25 11/5
Red-headed Woodpecker ** 8/22 9/4 9/18 10/26 11/5
Northern Mockingbird *** 9/7 9/23 10/10 10/26 11/22
Pine Warbler *** 8/15 9/1 10/9 10/26 11/3
Black-throated Blue Warbler *** 8/31 9/11 10/11 10/27 11/5
Cape May Warbler ** 9/3 9/12 9/25 10/28 11/5

Great Plains

Scattered moderate to very heavy flights will grace the region for the weekend in advance of the southerly flow that arrives by early in the work week. As this flow builds into the passage of the next low pressure center, a pulse of moderate to heavy flights will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday primarily in the north-central Plains. The period ends as this disturbance moves well east of the region, with the northern Plains experiencing moderate to heavy flights.

Sandhill Crane. Heidi Becker/Macaulay Library. eBird S32114925.

Sandhill Crane. Heidi Becker/Macaulay Library. eBird S32114925.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Purple Finch * 8/2 10/27 After Nov 30 - -
Herring Gull *** 9/30 10/24 After Nov 30 - -
Horned Grebe *** 10/8 10/21 11/6 11/22 After Nov 30
Northern Pintail *** 10/10 10/23 11/6 After Nov 30 -
Ring-billed Gull *** 10/11 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Rough-legged Hawk *** 10/12 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
Ruddy Duck ****! 10/13 10/24 11/6 11/21 After Nov 30
Mallard ****! 10/14 10/31 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/16 10/25 11/5 11/14 11/19
Common Loon *** 10/16 10/27 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/16 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Redhead *** 10/17 10/26 11/8 11/20 After Nov 30
Bald Eagle *** 10/17 11/10 After Nov 30 - -
Northern Shoveler ****! 10/19 10/27 11/7 11/19 After Nov 30
Canvasback *** 10/19 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Lesser Scaup ****! 10/21 10/30 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Snow Goose *** 10/23 11/3 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Hooded Merganser *** 10/23 11/3 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Ross's Goose *** 10/25 11/5 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Greater Scaup ** 10/26 11/5 11/16 After Nov 30 -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Greater Yellowlegs * - 8/2 10/27 11/16 After Nov 30
Merlin * 8/19 9/6 10/24 11/8 11/24
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/3 9/16 10/30 11/13 11/29
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/10 9/26 10/23 After Nov 30 -
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/12 9/26 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Red-tailed Hawk *** 9/5 9/27 10/27 11/9 After Nov 30
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * 9/12 9/27 After Nov 30 - -
Brown Creeper ** 9/18 10/5 After Nov 30 - -
American Pipit *** 9/17 10/6 10/24 11/12 After Nov 30
Song Sparrow *** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/6 11/17
Pine Siskin ** 9/26 10/9 11/2 After Nov 30 -
Northern Harrier *** 9/12 10/11 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30
Golden-crowned Kinglet ** 9/25 10/12 11/5 11/15 After Nov 30
Dark-eyed Junco ****! 9/29 10/14 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Western Grebe * 9/6 10/17 10/31 After Nov 30 -
Greater White-fronted Goose *** 10/5 10/18 11/5 11/24 After Nov 30
Sandhill Crane *** 10/7 10/18 10/31 11/13 After Nov 30
Gadwall *** 10/9 10/20 11/7 After Nov 30 -
American Wigeon *** 10/4 10/20 11/4 11/20 After Nov 30
Green-winged Teal *** 10/5 10/20 11/5 After Nov 30 -
Horned Grebe *** 10/8 10/21 11/6 11/22 After Nov 30
Northern Pintail *** 10/10 10/23 11/6 After Nov 30 -
Ring-billed Gull *** 10/11 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck *** 10/13 10/24 11/6 11/21 After Nov 30
Herring Gull ** 9/30 10/24 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/16 10/25 11/5 11/14 11/19
Redhead *** 10/17 10/26 11/8 11/20 After Nov 30
Northern Shoveler *** 10/19 10/27 11/7 11/19 After Nov 30
Common Loon *** 10/16 10/27 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Purple Finch * 8/2 10/27 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback *** 10/19 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/16 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30 -

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Killdeer *** - - Before Aug 1 11/4 After Nov 30
Wood Duck ** - 8/2 8/20 10/28 After Nov 30
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/10 9/13 10/24 11/10
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/5 9/24 10/24 11/8
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/2 9/7 9/29 10/28 11/25
Northern Flicker *** 9/7 9/16 10/1 11/4 11/13
Chipping Sparrow *** 9/20 9/24 10/1 11/1 11/13
Common Grackle *** 9/13 9/20 10/6 10/29 After Nov 30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/7 9/21 10/8 10/24 11/8
Sedge Wren *** 9/19 9/28 10/9 10/21 10/31
Marsh Wren *** 9/14 9/27 10/9 10/23 11/5
Spotted Towhee *** 9/9 9/23 10/9 10/25 11/6
Vesper Sparrow *** 9/7 9/23 10/10 10/27 11/6
Nelson's Sparrow ** 9/23 9/30 10/10 10/21 10/29
Sprague's Pipit * 9/19 9/29 10/11 10/25 11/6
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/15 9/26 10/11 10/24 11/15
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/6 9/21 10/11 10/29 11/10
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/13 10/3 10/15 10/29 11/8
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/16 9/28 10/15 11/6 11/17
Western Meadowlark *** 8/2 9/9 10/15 10/29 11/7
Franklin's Gull *** 9/3 9/16 10/16 11/7 After Nov 30
Le Conte's Sparrow *** 9/25 10/4 10/16 10/28 11/7
Swamp Sparrow *** 9/21 10/2 10/16 11/2 11/14
Sharp-shinned Hawk ** 8/31 10/2 10/17 10/28 After Nov 30
Eastern Meadowlark *** 9/21 10/1 10/17 11/7 11/19
American White Pelican *** 8/2 9/8 10/18 After Nov 30 -
Wilson's Snipe ** 8/2 10/3 10/18 11/3 11/16
Field Sparrow *** 9/20 10/4 10/18 11/4 11/15
American Avocet *** 9/23 10/5 10/20 11/12 After Nov 30
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/12 9/26 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/10 9/26 10/23 After Nov 30 -
Merlin * 8/19 9/6 10/24 11/8 11/24
American Pipit *** 9/17 10/6 10/24 11/12 After Nov 30
Song Sparrow *** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/6 11/17
Red-tailed Hawk ** 9/5 9/27 10/27 11/9 After Nov 30
Greater Yellowlegs ** - 8/2 10/27 11/16 After Nov 30
Northern Harrier *** 9/12 10/11 10/28 11/12 After Nov 30

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Black-bellied Plover * - 8/2 8/21 9/1 11/21
Pectoral Sandpiper ** - - Before Aug 1 9/2 10/23
Tree Swallow ** - - Before Aug 1 9/9 11/1
Lesser Yellowlegs ** - 8/2 8/20 9/13 11/8
Black-crowned Night-Heron * - 8/2 8/27 9/27 10/28
Blue-headed Vireo *** 8/25 9/2 9/16 9/28 10/24
Cattle Egret * - - Before Aug 1 10/1 11/2
White-faced Ibis * - 8/2 9/1 10/2 10/30
Tennessee Warbler * 8/2 8/9 9/9 10/3 10/23
Mourning Dove *** - 8/2 8/17 10/4 10/25
Snowy Egret ** - 8/2 8/20 10/5 10/26
Osprey *** 8/28 9/9 9/23 10/6 11/11
Sanderling * 8/2 8/20 9/6 10/7 10/26
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** - - Before Aug 1 10/7 10/23
Peregrine Falcon * 8/2 9/13 9/24 10/9 10/23
American Golden-Plover * 8/12 9/22 9/30 10/12 11/16
Eastern Phoebe *** 9/1 9/13 9/25 10/12 10/25
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/30 9/6 9/20 10/12 10/21
Indigo Bunting *** 9/7 9/11 9/20 10/12 10/21
Black-throated Green Warbler * 8/20 9/2 9/22 10/13 10/28
Swainson's Hawk *** - 8/2 9/11 10/14 10/22
Nashville Warbler *** 8/27 9/5 9/22 10/14 10/24
Turkey Vulture *** 8/2 9/4 9/27 10/16 10/25
Clay-colored Sparrow *** 8/20 9/3 9/24 10/16 10/30
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 9/5 9/21 10/4 10/17 10/28
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 9/6 9/16 9/27 10/19 11/1
Great Egret *** - 8/2 9/13 10/20 11/11
Sora * - 8/2 9/27 10/20 11/4
Sedge Wren *** 9/19 9/28 10/9 10/21 10/31
Nelson's Sparrow ** 9/23 9/30 10/10 10/21 10/29
Marsh Wren *** 9/14 9/27 10/9 10/23 11/5
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/10 9/13 10/24 11/10
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/5 9/24 10/24 11/8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/7 9/21 10/8 10/24 11/8
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/15 9/26 10/11 10/24 11/15
Sprague's Pipit * 9/19 9/29 10/11 10/25 11/6
Spotted Towhee *** 9/9 9/23 10/9 10/25 11/6
Vesper Sparrow *** 9/7 9/23 10/10 10/27 11/6
Wood Duck ** - 8/2 8/20 10/28 After Nov 30
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 8/31 10/2 10/17 10/28 After Nov 30
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/2 9/7 9/29 10/28 11/25
Le Conte's Sparrow *** 9/25 10/4 10/16 10/28 11/7

West

Migration will be local and light for most of the first half of the period. A new, strong storm system arrives to the Pacific Northwest by the middle of the work week, keeping things quiet in this sector; simultaneously, the departure of a low pressure system from the Rockies heralds a small pulse of light to moderate flights in the Desert Southwest and southern and central Rockies. Slightly more extensive favorable migration conditions for light to moderate movements arrive in the northern portion of the region to end the week, as another rain maker builds into the southern Pacific coast.

American Wigeon. David Badke/Macaulay Library. eBird S32010097.

American Wigeon. David Badke/Macaulay Library. eBird S32010097.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Canada Goose ** 8/2 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
California Gull * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Ring-billed Gull ** 8/10 11/7 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Northern Harrier ** 8/17 11/8 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Sandhill Crane * 9/14 11/10 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Horned Grebe ** 9/20 10/21 11/8 11/15 11/19
Mew Gull ** 10/1 10/22 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Gadwall *** 10/7 10/25 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Surf Scoter *** 10/7 10/21 11/10 11/15 11/18
Lesser Scaup *** 10/8 10/26 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Canvasback *** 10/9 11/4 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Glaucous-winged Gull ** 10/10 10/23 After Nov 30 - -
Common Loon *** 10/12 10/23 11/4 11/14 11/22
Rough-legged Hawk * 10/12 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Pacific Loon * 10/14 10/29 11/24 After Nov 30 -
Bufflehead ****! 10/16 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/17 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Hooded Merganser *** 10/19 11/2 After Nov 30 - -
Red-breasted Merganser *** 10/20 11/2 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Trumpeter Swan * 10/21 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
Tundra Swan ** 10/25 11/6 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Barrow's Goldeneye ** 10/25 11/8 After Nov 30 - -
Ferruginous Hawk * 10/25 11/6 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Belted Kingfisher ** - 8/2 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Northern Shoveler *** 8/6 8/20 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Northern Pintail ** 8/12 8/20 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Green-winged Teal ** 8/2 8/20 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Black Phoebe ** 8/16 9/9 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Red-tailed Hawk *** 8/7 9/10 After Nov 30 - -
American Pipit ** 8/31 9/11 11/15 After Nov 30 -
Say's Phoebe ** 9/1 9/13 11/21 After Nov 30 -
Merlin * 8/30 9/14 11/9 11/28 After Nov 30
Eared Grebe *** 9/2 9/16 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Marsh Wren * 8/21 9/20 10/29 After Nov 30 -
Varied Thrush ** 9/18 9/29 After Nov 30 - -
Cackling Goose ** 9/16 10/3 After Nov 30 - -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet *** 9/21 10/3 11/5 11/10 11/12
White-throated Sparrow * 9/20 10/3 10/28 11/5 11/10
Golden-crowned Kinglet ** 9/10 10/4 10/23 11/6 11/18
Dark-eyed Junco *** 9/23 10/5 11/8 11/13 11/16
Hermit Thrush *** 9/25 10/6 10/26 11/6 11/15
Herring Gull ** 9/28 10/13 After Nov 30 - -
Redhead * 10/3 10/14 11/14 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck ** 9/21 10/14 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Western Grebe *** 10/3 10/14 11/2 After Nov 30 -
Dunlin ** 10/5 10/15 10/30 After Nov 30 -
American Wigeon *** 9/2 10/17 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Ring-necked Duck *** 9/21 10/17 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Clark's Grebe * 10/8 10/18 11/6 After Nov 30 -
Pied-billed Grebe ** 8/2 10/19 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Bald Eagle ** 9/26 10/19 After Nov 30 - -
Greater Scaup * 10/8 10/20 After Nov 30 - -
White-winged Scoter * 10/11 10/20 11/5 11/15 After Nov 30
Red-necked Grebe * 8/26 10/20 11/3 11/13 11/20
Surf Scoter ** 10/7 10/21 11/10 11/15 11/18
Horned Grebe ** 9/20 10/21 11/8 11/15 11/19
Mew Gull ** 10/1 10/22 11/20 After Nov 30 -
California Gull * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Common Loon ** 10/12 10/23 11/4 11/14 11/22
Glaucous-winged Gull ** 10/10 10/23 After Nov 30 - -
Gadwall ** 10/7 10/25 11/17 After Nov 30 -
Lesser Scaup *** 10/8 10/26 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/17 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Greater Yellowlegs * 8/11 8/18 8/28 After Nov 30 -
Elegant Tern * 8/2 8/21 9/7 After Nov 30 -
Pink-footed Shearwater * 8/8 8/27 9/14 10/25 11/7
Blue-winged Teal * - 8/2 9/22 10/23 11/3
Savannah Sparrow ** 8/2 9/3 9/23 10/24 11/2
Black-bellied Plover * 9/12 9/18 9/30 After Nov 30 -
Cooper's Hawk * 8/2 9/7 10/1 10/24 11/11
Townsend's Warbler ** 8/13 8/30 10/2 10/22 11/6
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/17 9/12 10/3 After Nov 30 -
Lincoln's Sparrow ** 8/30 9/11 10/4 10/21 11/5
Red-naped Sapsucker * 9/6 9/19 10/7 10/22 11/3
Red-winged Blackbird ** 8/25 9/12 10/10 10/27 After Nov 30
White-crowned Sparrow *** 9/6 9/21 10/11 10/21 10/31
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/13 9/27 10/14 10/23 11/3
Northern Flicker *** 9/5 9/29 10/16 11/8 11/22
Western Meadowlark * 9/16 9/30 10/16 After Nov 30 -
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 8/23 9/10 10/19 11/11 After Nov 30
Golden-crowned Sparrow * 9/13 9/26 10/19 10/26 11/18
Fox Sparrow * 9/9 9/23 10/20 11/1 11/8
Belted Kingfisher * - 8/2 10/22 After Nov 30 -
Golden-crowned Kinglet * 9/10 10/4 10/23 11/6 11/18
Hermit Thrush * 9/25 10/6 10/26 11/6 11/15
White-throated Sparrow * 9/20 10/3 10/28 11/5 11/10

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Violet-green Swallow *** - - Before Aug 1 8/3 10/23
Hermit Warbler * - 8/2 8/19 9/3 10/23
House Wren *** 8/23 8/31 9/9 9/21 10/26
Sora * 8/21 9/1 9/13 9/23 After Nov 30
Marbled Godwit * 8/9 8/17 8/28 9/29 After Nov 30
American Avocet * 8/15 8/21 8/30 9/30 After Nov 30
Parasitic Jaeger * 8/26 9/6 9/19 10/1 10/29
Black Turnstone * 8/6 8/17 9/21 10/2 After Nov 30
Heermann's Gull * 8/15 9/14 9/21 10/2 After Nov 30
Yellow Warbler *** - 8/2 9/8 10/2 10/21
Killdeer *** 8/2 8/14 9/7 10/3 11/3
Franklin's Gull * - 8/2 8/31 10/3 11/5
Common Yellowthroat *** 8/18 8/30 9/15 10/5 10/27
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 8/16 8/25 9/20 10/9 10/24
Orange-crowned Warbler *** 8/18 9/1 9/18 10/15 10/27
Mountain Bluebird * 9/3 9/8 9/19 10/17 10/27
American Robin * 8/30 9/4 10/10 10/17 11/14
Chipping Sparrow *** - 8/2 9/8 10/18 11/2
Clay-colored Sparrow * 8/17 8/28 9/14 10/18 11/6
Red-breasted Nuthatch *** - 8/2 9/7 10/19 10/30
Black-throated Gray Warbler *** - 8/2 10/4 10/19 10/29
Brewer's Blackbird * 8/23 9/11 9/27 10/20 After Nov 30
Lincoln's Sparrow ** 8/30 9/11 10/4 10/21 11/5
White-crowned Sparrow *** 9/6 9/21 10/11 10/21 10/31
Red-naped Sapsucker * 9/6 9/19 10/7 10/22 11/3
Townsend's Warbler *** 8/13 8/30 10/2 10/22 11/6
Blue-winged Teal * - 8/2 9/22 10/23 11/3
Yellow-rumped Warbler *** 9/13 9/27 10/14 10/23 11/3
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/7 10/1 10/24 11/11
Savannah Sparrow ** 8/2 9/3 9/23 10/24 11/2
Pink-footed Shearwater * 8/8 8/27 9/14 10/25 11/7
Golden-crowned Sparrow * 9/13 9/26 10/19 10/26 11/18
Red-winged Blackbird ** 8/25 9/12 10/10 10/27 After Nov 30

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Farnsworth and Van Doren

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