Light southwest winds at the surface seemed to be the tailwind of choice last night, as most birds appeared to migrate at lower altitudes. Here’s the radar from sunset last night through sunrise this morning.
Frames are every 1/2 hour for reflectivity and velocity, and every hour for the regional composite. Click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.
As we’ve seen over the last few nights, upper level winds were less favorable (last night they were due west) than those nearer to the surface, and birds appear to adjust. The radar for New Jersey shows birds taking off just after sunset and migrating at moderate levels until just after midnight. By 2:00am, most birds have settled down somewhere across the landscape. I know that I sound like a broken record by now, but given the lack of any significant weather barrier, birds will be well dispersed across the state. Hit the spring migrant hotspots for your best bet today!
Good Birding
David
P.S. Come check out my migration forecast for the Mid-Atlantic on Birdcapemay.org
Please don’t forget to become a member of the Woodcreeper/Badbirdz flock today. For more information, please check out the Become a Member post.
One response to “More birds over the Garden State”
Sandy Hook had some good birds today. Olive-Sided Flycatcher at K-lot, a Golden Eagle was seen by 2 observers by the lighthouse. At least 16 sp. of warbler inc. many Magnolias and Amer.Redstarts,
Wilson’s,Canada.There were at least 6 Blue-Headed Vireos, RB Nuthatch,White-throated and White Crowned and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Many empids that did not call but at least 1 was a Least Flycatcher(no Pun intended) and Acadian. Good numbers of thrushes around esp..Swainson’s and Wood thrush. 1 Gray-Cheeked Thrush reported that I am aware of. Red Shouldered Hawk, a Sharpie or two.