Magee boardwalk birds 5-6

Hello friends,

I had a good time leading a group of home school students on a trip to the boardwalk today. Highlights were a Kentucky warbler on the north side of the boardwalk near 7A and a handsome Hooded warbler on the south side near 7 (a little east of the bench). We also got great looks at a black-throated green and pretty good looks at a Prothonotary near 17B. A cold front looks like it will be coming through early this morning, so it doesn't look like many birds will be moving into the area until next week. When the wind does shift, though, there could be a pretty good influx of birds moving into the area. If you can brave the chilly weather this Saturday, come visit us at the SPMBC and see what's going on! We have coffee and donuts to warm you up, and lots of vendors and activities going on this Saturday. Also, our garlic mustard volunteers have been doing a great job making a dent in that terrible plant! We pulled about 14 bags worth today, and we will start pulling again on the 18th (taking next weekend off for the Biggest Week in American Birding, which started today).

Magee Marsh update

Hello friends,

This past weekend was a good one for warbler watchers. The warm front that moved through the area early Friday morning brought strong S/SW winds and a number of new species to the area. On Saturday 4-5! Cerulean warblers were reported down at the boardwalk, which was really exciting for me. Other warblers included infrequently seen species like Kentucky and Yellow-breasted chat, Black-bellied cuckoo, a couple Summer tanagers, a Blue grosbeak on Friday, and some other migrants on the earlier side of the spring migration (Yellow-rumped, black-throated green, ruby-crowned kinglets, blackburnian). All species of thrushes commonly seen during migration (Veery, Swainson's, Wood, Hermit, Gray-cheeked, and yes, the American robin is a thrush) were enjoyed by birdwatchers. This was the first real significant push of wood warblers into the area this spring.

Mary and I often get calls asking if "the warblers are there" or concerned messages that they might be missing the migration if they didn't get out this weekend. Don't be worried! Usually, the best nocturnal movements of warblers (they migrate through the nighttime hours) into the Magee Marsh area is when there is a Low pressure system stationed near the states of Arkansas or its vicinity, and a warm front that brings southwesterly winds with it. Conversely, northerly winds will generally stifle the majority of migrants from making a strong movement. Though the birding was good this weekend, fret not if you were not here! There will still be plenty of birds to see in the next few weeks. An increasingly volume of birds should be in our future (though there was a good diversity of species represented this weekend at Magee Marsh, there were not a high number of individuals. Birders had to work a little harder to find the pot o' gold).

Just to remind you bird-minded fiends out there, the Biggest Week in American Birding starts May 6. Go to http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/ for the schedule of events and more information. Also, don't forget that this Saturday, May 8, is International Migratory Bird Day here at Magee Marsh! Lots of fun things happening here on that day, in addition to the fun that the warblers bring themselves. We look forward to seeing you out here at Magee Marsh.

migrant influx

Hello friends,

The first significant wave of migrants started to roll into Magee Marsh this past Friday and Saturday with the passage of a warm front and strong southerly winds. New arrivals included Cerulean warbler (4-5 seen at the boardwalk on Saturday!), blue-winged, golden-winged, blackburnian, Cape May, black-throated blue, Magnolia, Yellow-breasted chat, and a Kentucky warbler. Other frequently seen birds were Yellow-rumped, black-throated green, ruby-crowned kinglet, and prothonotary warbler. A special treat was a blue grosbeak seen Friday. Influxes of migrants will start to ebb and flow, but I think that our neotropical visitors will continue to pass through the area after this weekend's activity.