Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
There has been an enormous southward movement of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (like this one photographed tonight), Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, Song Sparrows and many other sparrow species this weekend. With a cold front passing through the Northeast tonight we will be set up for a sizable push of more migrants tomorrow, especially diurnal. Get outside and find some songbirds in the morning and raptors in the afternoon!
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 MoreCold front coming
Normally I would love to see this low and cold front coming through in this manner in mid-September, as modeled on today’s 18z GFS for Thursday morning at 9AM, but the high subsequently moves into the Great Plains and the setup will not be as optimal as I would like for hawk migration. For the Northeast sites to really rock it should be centered over the Great Lakes, controlling winds at all levels and keeping them out of the northwest. We’ll see…Friday could still be interesting. But, so far this year, the winds have not cooperated. Perhaps it will be a huge second half of...
Read MoreNorthern Wheatear season
The Northern Wheatear is undoubtedly one of my favorite North American nesting species despite the fact it is one of the toughest to find in the contiguous United States. I have no real reason for why I love the bird except for the fact that it is so difficult to call it simply a “North American” species and I admire its biology. Two populations nest on the continent with a western group breeding in Alaska and far northwest Canada with an eastern group in north central and northeastern Canada, the former group migrating southeastward across Asia to move to Europe and finally...
Read MoreTimber Rattlesnake hunting
Timber Rattlesnakes have been drastically reduced in population in many areas of the Northeast. This drop correlates extremely well to regions where Lyme Disease has skyrocketed due to high levels of ticks. The University of Maryland and Edward Kabay found that rattlesnakes hunted small mammals to the degree that it kept the disease in check in areas where the population is strong. A single adult male can consume 2,500-4,500 ticks every year! If Timber Rattlesnake populations were at historic levels throughout their previous range maybe none of us would have to worry about ticks on ourselves...
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