Wind, climate change and raptor migration
Earth’s climate and weather play a direct and constant role in the lives of birds. At no point is this impact from mother nature more widely observable than during migration. Global winds shape the timing and track of bird movements across the continents and the sea. In this case I wanted to take a look at September 2014 and how it seems to have been a climatic “throwback” in the Northeast for our birds. If you talk to folks in many portions of New England the Mid-Atlantic about the weather in 2014 you often hear how it was very average in terms of temperature and...
Read MoreAvian migration and high pressures – September 28, 2014
Did you enjoy the summer-like weather across the Northeast this weekend? At this time of year if it feels that gorgeous and benefits warm weather lovers it denies the birds a cooperative migratory flight. This radar grab from a few minutes ago shows very light migration across much of New England and the upper Mid-Atlantic thanks to a few weak areas of high pressure giving us this warmth and mostly calm or light southerly winds. One high is centered over Lake Michigan, another between Iowa and Missouri and a third in Virginia, with all three causing the only decent avian movement to be found...
Read MoreBroad-winged Hawks and hawk watch season
It is nearly time for an exhilarating explosion of raptors down the eastern seaboard. Kettles like this filled with tens, hundreds and thousands of Broad-winged Hawks like these are on the way. I’m ready…and the weather will be soon. Stretch your necks now. I’ll have more to come on the raptors, flight conditions, species to look for and hawk watching in action throughout the next few months.
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