Heavy and low avian migration in Jamestown
This past Wednesday, October 15, I was outside in downtown Jamestown, New York, for much of the night. An area of low pressure had moved by earlier in the day and precipitation had cleared. Clouds were thinning and moving east. There are plenty of unnatural noises to hear on a typical night in the City of Jamestown – music, people shouting, vehicles and often large trucks passing by. There was also an incessant yet subtle chorus of noises coming from the low levels of the sky in the form of avian flight calls! Birds were moving south and in strong numbers with almost endless peeps and...
Read MoreSouthern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
This Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) was netted and subsequently photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser in New Jersey while he was attempting to capture and band migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls. These cute nocturnal creatures are the more discrete bird feeder robbers. Look for a blog entry later this week on this new friend of Sean’s…and watch for a fantastic photo of another pal he made tomorrow!
Read MorePale Beauty (Campaea perlata)
This looks to be a Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata), an apt name for this moth that “knocked” on my door and glistened under the porch lights and the flash.
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 MoreSouthbound migration moving east
As the front finishes passing through the Mid-Atlantic and New England birds are moving south in moderate numbers in western sections of those regions with heavy migration occurring throughout the Midwest. More will be on the move as the night progresses and tomorrow should be better for areas further east. Enjoy a lovely and cool Sunday morning outside seeing all the new avian arrivals!
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