Forecast and Analysis

Regional Migration Forecast: 4-11 November 2016

Andrew Farnsworth The Cornell Lab Nov 04, 2016

Bonaparte's Gull. Craig Sandvig/Macaulay Library. eBird S32353707.

Bonaparte’s Gull. Craig Sandvig/Macaulay Library. eBird S32353707.

Continental Summary

The West will experience some conditions favorable for locally light to moderate flights during the middle and latter parts of the period that will feature White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Loon, Clark’s Grebe, California Gull, Merlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Dark-eyed Junco, while the East will experience several pulses of such favorable conditions with light to locally heavy movements that features Greater White-fronted Goose, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Red-necked Grebe, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Red-winged Blackbird, Fox Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco.

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 pulse of moderate to locally heavy flights kick off the weekend, mostly to the east of the Appalachians and Great Lakes. These movements will become increasingly localized to coastal areas by Monday, as southerly flow and high pressure build into more western locations. However, these southern winds will yield to another cooler air mass arriving, bringing favorable conditions for migration on Tuesday and Wednesday in many areas – movements will be primarily moderate. Locally favorable conditions continue through the end of the period, particularly close to the Canadian border, where continued moderate flights will occur. Note that strong northwesterly winds at the end of the period might warrant a check of your local gull spots in the border states on Thursday and Friday.

Horned Grebe. Michel Bourque/Macaulay Library. eBird S32361145.

Horned Grebe. Michel Bourque/Macaulay Library. eBird S32361145.

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 - -
Common Merganser ** 10/16 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Common Goldeneye *** 10/24 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Tundra Swan *** 10/30 11/9 11/22 After Nov 30 -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Northern Shoveler * 8/9 10/12 11/8 After Nov 30 -
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
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 - -
Bufflehead *** 10/20 10/30 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Red-breasted Merganser *** 10/16 11/1 After Nov 30 - -
Hooded Merganser *** 10/20 11/3 After Nov 30 - -
Tundra Swan ** 10/30 11/9 11/22 After Nov 30 -

Beginning Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Laughing Gull ** - 8/2 8/14 After Nov 30 -
Greater Yellowlegs ** - 8/2 8/20 11/11 After Nov 30
Royal Tern * - 8/2 8/21 11/8 After Nov 30
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/26 9/5 9/21 11/10 11/19
American Robin *** 9/13 9/24 10/13 11/8 After Nov 30
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** 9/22 10/1 10/15 11/6 11/18
Eastern Bluebird ** 9/12 9/27 10/18 11/12 After Nov 30
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
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
Dunlin ** 9/13 10/17 10/29 11/11 11/22
Brant * 10/1 10/13 10/30 11/8 11/15
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/4 10/11 10/31 11/20 After Nov 30
Surf Scoter * 9/25 10/19 11/4 11/12 11/17
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
Northern Shoveler * 8/9 10/12 11/8 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck ** 9/29 10/17 11/8 11/23 After Nov 30
Ring-necked Duck * 10/7 10/23 11/9 11/17 11/24
Fox Sparrow ** 9/28 10/16 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Dark-eyed Junco * 9/28 10/14 11/10 11/16 11/22
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
Bonaparte's Gull ** 10/12 10/25 11/11 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 8/18 8/27 After Nov 30
Pectoral Sandpiper ** 8/11 8/17 8/23 9/7 11/13
Cedar Waxwing *** - 8/2 8/17 9/25 After Nov 30
Forster's Tern * - 8/2 8/16 9/26 After Nov 30
Red-breasted Nuthatch * 8/12 9/4 10/2 10/17 After Nov 30
Osprey *** - 8/2 8/15 10/19 11/4
Great Blue Heron *** - 8/2 8/15 10/20 After Nov 30
Blue-winged Teal *** 8/2 8/19 9/7 10/22 11/5
Great Egret *** - 8/2 8/13 10/22 11/5
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
Wilson's Snipe * 9/24 10/3 10/16 10/29 After Nov 30
Chipping Sparrow *** 9/16 10/2 10/12 10/29 11/9
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/12 9/26 10/12 10/29 11/12
Sharp-shinned Hawk *** 8/31 9/10 10/17 10/30 After Nov 30
Blue Jay *** 8/23 9/8 9/28 10/30 11/26
Field Sparrow *** 9/29 10/8 10/18 10/30 11/8
Eastern Meadowlark ** 9/17 10/2 10/16 10/30 11/11
Hermit Thrush *** 9/25 10/6 10/19 10/31 11/10
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/18 9/30 10/18 10/31 11/12
Wood Duck *** - 8/2 8/21 11/2 11/22
Northern Harrier ** 8/2 10/9 10/21 11/2 11/13
Vesper Sparrow ** 10/5 10/12 10/21 11/2 11/10
Golden-crowned Kinglet *** 9/22 10/1 10/15 11/6 11/18
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/24 10/4 10/18 11/6 After Nov 30
Northern Pintail * 9/5 10/12 10/27 11/7 After Nov 30
Common Grackle *** 10/2 10/8 10/18 11/7 After Nov 30
American Robin *** 9/13 9/24 10/13 11/8 After Nov 30
Purple Finch *** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/8 After Nov 30
Brant * 10/1 10/13 10/30 11/8 11/15
Royal Tern * - 8/2 8/21 11/8 After Nov 30
American Wigeon * 9/23 10/8 10/28 11/10 11/29
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/26 9/5 9/21 11/10 11/19
Rusty Blackbird ** 9/19 10/3 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30
Greater Yellowlegs *** - 8/2 8/20 11/11 After Nov 30
Dunlin ** 9/13 10/17 10/29 11/11 11/22
Pine Siskin ** 9/27 10/10 10/28 11/11 After Nov 30
American Pipit ** 9/10 9/22 10/24 11/11 11/25

Gulf Coast and Southeast

Other than a warm air mass with some precipitation and the subsequent passing of this disturbance, which will dampen movements locally from late weekend through mid work week, favorable conditions will be widespread to begin the weekend and again during the work week. Moderate to locally very heavy flights are likely in many areas during these times. The end of the week will see increasingly localized flights, as warmer air and some scattered precipitation again moves into portions of the region.

Common Gallinule. Patrick J. Blake/Macaulay Library. eBird S32343467.

Common Gallinule. Patrick J. Blake/Macaulay Library. eBird S32343467.

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 -
Herring Gull ** 9/22 11/29 After Nov 30 - -
Green-winged Teal *** 10/11 11/4 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Northern Gannet * 10/19 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/20 11/5 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Eared Grebe * 10/21 11/4 11/24 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 - -
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 - -
Lesser Scaup *** 10/29 11/9 After Nov 30 - -
Horned Grebe *** 10/30 11/11 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-billed Gull *** 10/30 11/24 After Nov 30 - -
Bonaparte's Gull ** 11/1 11/13 After Nov 30 - -
Hooded Merganser *** 11/2 11/11 After Nov 30 - -
Bufflehead *** 11/4 11/13 After Nov 30 - -
Red-breasted Merganser *** 11/6 11/19 After Nov 30 - -
Harris's Sparrow ** 11/7 11/29 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
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 -
Sora * 8/29 9/21 11/7 11/17 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 -
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/22 10/4 11/9 After Nov 30 -
American Bittern * 9/14 10/9 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Double-crested Cormorant *** 9/27 10/11 11/22 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 -
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
Sandhill Crane ** 10/8 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
Black-necked Stilt * 10/21 10/29 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ** 10/24 10/30 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Gadwall *** 10/17 10/30 11/19 After Nov 30 -
American Wigeon *** 10/10 10/30 11/18 After Nov 30 -
American White Pelican *** 9/29 10/30 11/15 11/21 After Nov 30
Pine Siskin * 10/14 10/30 After Nov 30 - -
Northern Pintail ** 10/18 10/31 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/25 10/31 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck *** 10/18 11/1 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Dark-eyed Junco *** 10/18 11/2 After Nov 30 - -
Redhead *** 10/21 11/3 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Northern Shoveler *** 10/22 11/4 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Green-winged Teal *** 10/11 11/4 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Eared Grebe * 10/21 11/4 11/24 After Nov 30 -
Northern Gannet * 10/19 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
American Pipit *** 10/22 11/4 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Snow Goose ** 10/23 11/5 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/20 11/5 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Great Blue Heron *** 8/2 11/5 11/16 After Nov 30 -
Ross's Goose * 10/24 11/7 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback * 10/28 11/8 After Nov 30 - -
Common Loon ** 10/27 11/8 After Nov 30 - -
Lesser Scaup *** 10/29 11/9 After Nov 30 - -
Hooded Merganser *** 11/2 11/11 After Nov 30 - -
Horned Grebe ** 10/30 11/11 After Nov 30 - -

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 -
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/21 10/17 After Nov 30 -
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 -
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
Eastern Phoebe *** 9/25 10/9 10/30 After Nov 30 -
Black-bellied Plover * - 8/2 10/31 After Nov 30 -
Blue-headed Vireo * 9/3 10/15 10/31 11/8 11/14
Lincoln's Sparrow ** 9/23 10/4 10/31 11/13 11/21
Marsh Wren * 9/20 10/3 11/1 11/18 After Nov 30
Tree Swallow * 9/24 10/3 11/2 11/14 11/22
Sedge Wren * 9/28 10/11 11/2 After Nov 30 -
Eastern Meadowlark ** 10/2 10/15 11/3 11/23 After Nov 30
Sora * 8/29 9/21 11/7 11/17 After Nov 30
American Avocet * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Franklin's Gull ** 10/14 10/26 11/7 11/25 After Nov 30
Caspian Tern ** - 8/2 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Vesper Sparrow * 10/12 10/23 11/7 11/15 11/22
Blue-winged Teal ** 8/8 8/26 11/8 11/29 After Nov 30
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ** 10/24 10/30 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Black-necked Stilt ** 10/21 10/29 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Red-winged Blackbird *** 9/22 10/4 11/9 After Nov 30 -
Orange-crowned Warbler ** 10/17 10/28 11/10 11/18 11/24
Savannah Sparrow ** 10/5 10/20 11/10 11/27 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
Hermit Thrush * 10/15 10/25 11/11 11/17 11/21

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
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
Common Tern * - 8/2 8/18 9/30 11/10
Yellow-throated Warbler *** 8/2 9/3 9/25 10/20 11/4
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
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
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
Northern Flicker *** 9/18 10/1 10/17 10/29 11/8
Painted Bunting ** 9/28 10/4 10/14 10/29 11/9
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker *** 9/30 10/9 10/24 10/31 11/6
Palm Warbler *** 9/15 10/5 10/20 10/31 11/7
Eastern Towhee *** 9/10 10/10 10/19 11/1 11/12
Merlin * 9/8 9/18 10/9 11/2 11/16
Northern Rough-winged Swallow ** 9/25 10/3 10/13 11/2 11/20
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher *** 9/8 9/23 10/7 11/3 11/23
Blue-headed Vireo * 9/3 10/15 10/31 11/8 11/14

Great Plains

Generally unfavorable conditions overspread the region for the weekend, with the first changes to the scene arriving on Monday. A pulse of cooler air and northerly winds is due, and with it will come moderate to locally heavy flights. By Wednesday night and Thursday these flights are significantly less intense and extensive. However, another cool air mass pushes across the border and into the northern Plains, where moderate flights resume on Thursday night. The week ends with a substantial intensification of wind speeds and another pulse of cool, more widespread across the Plains; with this pulse will come moderate to locally heavy flights of migrants.

Ring-billed Gull. Nic Allen/Macaulay Library. eBird S32363520.

Ring-billed Gull. Nic Allen/Macaulay Library. eBird S32363520.

Species on the Move

Beginning Arrivals What is this?

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Bald Eagle *** 10/17 11/10 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 -
Bufflehead ****! 10/29 11/7 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Cackling Goose *** 11/1 11/10 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Canada Goose ****! 11/1 11/10 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Common Goldeneye ****! 11/5 11/15 After Nov 30 - -
Common Merganser *** 11/5 11/19 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker * 9/12 9/27 After Nov 30 - -
Brown Creeper ** 9/18 10/5 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 -
Greater White-fronted Goose *** 10/5 10/18 11/5 11/24 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 -
Rough-legged Hawk ** 10/12 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
Lesser Scaup *** 10/21 10/30 11/12 After Nov 30 -
Mallard *** 10/14 10/31 11/17 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 -
Bufflehead *** 10/29 11/7 11/18 After Nov 30 -
Cackling Goose *** 11/1 11/10 11/23 After Nov 30 -
Canada Goose *** 11/1 11/10 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Bald Eagle *** 10/17 11/10 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
Northern Flicker *** 9/7 9/16 10/1 11/4 11/13
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/16 9/28 10/15 11/6 11/17
Franklin's Gull *** 9/3 9/16 10/16 11/7 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 -
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
Pied-billed Grebe *** 9/3 9/16 10/30 11/13 11/29
Western Grebe ** 9/6 10/17 10/31 After Nov 30 -
Sandhill Crane *** 10/7 10/18 10/31 11/13 After Nov 30
Pine Siskin * 9/26 10/9 11/2 After Nov 30 -
American Wigeon *** 10/4 10/20 11/4 11/20 After Nov 30
Greater White-fronted Goose *** 10/5 10/18 11/5 11/24 After Nov 30
Green-winged Teal *** 10/5 10/20 11/5 After Nov 30 -
Ring-necked Duck *** 10/16 10/25 11/5 11/14 11/19
Golden-crowned Kinglet * 9/25 10/12 11/5 11/15 After Nov 30
Northern Pintail *** 10/10 10/23 11/6 After Nov 30 -
Ruddy Duck *** 10/13 10/24 11/6 11/21 After Nov 30
Horned Grebe *** 10/8 10/21 11/6 11/22 After Nov 30
Gadwall *** 10/9 10/20 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Northern Shoveler *** 10/19 10/27 11/7 11/19 After Nov 30
Redhead *** 10/17 10/26 11/8 11/20 After Nov 30
Canvasback *** 10/19 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Ring-billed Gull *** 10/11 10/23 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Common Loon ** 10/16 10/27 11/11 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
Lesser Yellowlegs ** - 8/2 8/20 9/13 11/8
Osprey *** 8/28 9/9 9/23 10/6 11/11
American Golden-Plover * 8/12 9/22 9/30 10/12 11/16
Great Egret *** - 8/2 9/13 10/20 11/11
Sora * - 8/2 9/27 10/20 11/4
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
Savannah Sparrow *** 9/13 10/3 10/15 10/29 11/8
Lincoln's Sparrow *** 9/6 9/21 10/11 10/29 11/10
Western Meadowlark *** 8/2 9/9 10/15 10/29 11/7
Common Grackle *** 9/13 9/20 10/6 10/29 After Nov 30
Chipping Sparrow *** 9/20 9/24 10/1 11/1 11/13
Swamp Sparrow *** 9/21 10/2 10/16 11/2 11/14
Wilson's Snipe ** 8/2 10/3 10/18 11/3 11/16
Killdeer *** - - Before Aug 1 11/4 After Nov 30
Northern Flicker *** 9/7 9/16 10/1 11/4 11/13
Field Sparrow *** 9/20 10/4 10/18 11/4 11/15
Song Sparrow *** 9/26 10/8 10/24 11/6 11/17
White-throated Sparrow *** 9/16 9/28 10/15 11/6 11/17
Franklin's Gull *** 9/3 9/16 10/16 11/7 After Nov 30
Eastern Meadowlark *** 9/21 10/1 10/17 11/7 11/19
Merlin * 8/19 9/6 10/24 11/8 11/24
Red-tailed Hawk ** 9/5 9/27 10/27 11/9 After Nov 30

West

Scattered light movements will occur in portions of the Desert Southwest for the weekend, while the rest of the region remains mostly quiet. These local flights expand slightly on Sunday night and into Monday night, before less favorable conditions arrive. These flights will be heaviest in more eastern locations of the region. By Wednesday night another pulse of cool and favorable air arrives to the northern Rockies, bringing light to locally moderate flights. These conditions intensify and shift farther south and east, bringing favorable conditions to the eastern front of the Rockies by Thursday night, where moderate and even locally heavy flights will follow to end the period.

Clark's Grebe. Jonathan Hiley/Macaulay Library. eBird S32353270.

Clark’s Grebe. Jonathan Hiley/Macaulay Library. eBird S32353270.

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 - -
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 -
Canvasback *** 10/9 11/4 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Rough-legged Hawk * 10/12 11/29 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 - -
Ross's Goose ** 10/30 11/9 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Common Goldeneye *** 11/4 11/12 After Nov 30 - -

Peaking Arrivals

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
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 -
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
Dark-eyed Junco *** 9/23 10/5 11/8 11/13 11/16
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 -
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
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 -
Bufflehead *** 10/16 10/29 After Nov 30 - -
Pacific Loon * 10/14 10/29 11/24 After Nov 30 -
Hooded Merganser ** 10/19 11/2 After Nov 30 - -
Red-breasted Merganser ** 10/20 11/2 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Canada Goose ** 8/2 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
Trumpeter Swan * 10/21 11/4 After Nov 30 - -
Canvasback ** 10/9 11/4 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Tundra Swan ** 10/25 11/6 11/19 After Nov 30 -
Ferruginous Hawk * 10/25 11/6 After Nov 30 - -
Ring-billed Gull ** 8/10 11/7 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Barrow's Goldeneye * 10/25 11/8 After Nov 30 - -
Northern Harrier ** 8/17 11/8 11/20 After Nov 30 -
Ross's Goose * 10/30 11/9 11/22 After Nov 30 -
Sandhill Crane * 9/14 11/10 11/18 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 -
Black-bellied Plover * 9/12 9/18 9/30 After Nov 30 -
Red-shouldered Hawk * 8/17 9/12 10/3 After Nov 30 -
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
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
Marsh Wren * 8/21 9/20 10/29 After Nov 30 -
Dunlin * 10/5 10/15 10/30 After Nov 30 -
Western Grebe *** 10/3 10/14 11/2 After Nov 30 -
Red-necked Grebe * 8/26 10/20 11/3 11/13 11/20
Common Loon ** 10/12 10/23 11/4 11/14 11/22
White-winged Scoter * 10/11 10/20 11/5 11/15 After Nov 30
Ruby-crowned Kinglet * 9/21 10/3 11/5 11/10 11/12
Clark's Grebe * 10/8 10/18 11/6 After Nov 30 -
California Gull * 8/2 10/22 11/7 After Nov 30 -
Horned Grebe * 9/20 10/21 11/8 11/15 11/19
Dark-eyed Junco * 9/23 10/5 11/8 11/13 11/16
Merlin * 8/30 9/14 11/9 11/28 After Nov 30
Surf Scoter * 10/7 10/21 11/10 11/15 11/18
Bonaparte's Gull *** 10/17 10/28 11/10 After Nov 30 -
Pied-billed Grebe ** 8/2 10/19 11/11 After Nov 30 -
Eared Grebe *** 9/2 9/16 11/11 After Nov 30 -

Ending Departures

Species Noticeability Migrants Begin Arriving Rapid Migrant Influx Peak Rapid Migrant Departure Last Migrants Depart
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
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
Franklin's Gull * - 8/2 8/31 10/3 11/5
American Robin * 8/30 9/4 10/10 10/17 11/14
Clay-colored Sparrow * 8/17 8/28 9/14 10/18 11/6
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
Townsend's Warbler *** 8/13 8/30 10/2 10/22 11/6
Cooper's Hawk ** 8/2 9/7 10/1 10/24 11/11
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
Fox Sparrow * 9/9 9/23 10/20 11/1 11/8
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
Hermit Thrush ** 9/25 10/6 10/26 11/6 11/15
Northern Flicker *** 9/5 9/29 10/16 11/8 11/22
Ruby-crowned Kinglet * 9/21 10/3 11/5 11/10 11/12
Sharp-shinned Hawk * 8/23 9/10 10/19 11/11 After Nov 30

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Farnsworth and Van Doren

POWERED BY