21 April 2024
Black Swamp Fowl Observatory (BSBO) at Magee Marsh Natural world Space in Ohio has been banding birds for greater than 3 many years. After they analyzed their warbler knowledge since 1992, the arrivals and departures fell into 3 distinct waves with the similar species in the ones waves 12 months after 12 months.
This resulted in their Spring Migration Wave Concept, illustrated on BSBO’s website online. I’ve embedded their graphic and made it tiny on objective so that you are going to click on at the symbol to look the entire main points within the unique.
BSBO describes the waves and their timing in northwestern Ohio. Those timings don’t all the time practice to Pittsburgh. We’re between the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, so birds frequently get right here closing.
The first wave ruled by way of male White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, male Myrtle Warbler, and male Ruby-crowned Kinglet happens round 25 April [in Northwestern Ohio]. Sub-dominant warblers come with the Black-throated Inexperienced, Black-and-white, and Nashville. …
The 2nd wave, referred to as the large wave, happens 7-13 Would possibly [in Northwestern Ohio] and is represented by way of the best species range of the spring … The second one pulse of this wave coming 5 to seven days after, generally has the most important quantity. …
The 3rd wave most often comes round Memorial Day weekend [in Northwestern Ohio] and is ruled by way of feminine Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Mourning Warbler, vireos, and flycatchers.
— Black SwamP Fowl Observatory: Spring Migration Wave Concept (boldface added)
Which species are in every wave?
In Pittsburgh the First Wave incorporates species we’ve already viewed this month: Louisiana waterthrush, white-throated and fox sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, hermit thrushes, male yellow-rumped (myrtle) warblers, male ruby-crowned kinglets and now, on the finish of April, palm warblers.
The 2nd Wave is the Largest Week in American Birding at Magee Marsh and the largest couple of weeks in Pittsburgh. Species come with stragglers from the First Wave, too.
The 3rd Wave contains mourning warblers and the rarely-seen-in-Pittsburgh Connecticut warbler. If you wish to see a Connecticut warbler at Magee Marsh, their top is 20-27 Would possibly.
The Spring Migration Wave Concept explains why I’ve by no means viewed some species in Would possibly in northwestern Ohio. I assumed they didn’t come there however the actual explanation why is that I wasn’t there after they handed thru. I’ve all the time visited Magee Marsh in the second one week of Would possibly so I’ve by no means viewed a Louisiana waterthrush nor a Connecticut warbler whilst there.
This 12 months I’m going per week previous than same old; the BSBO website online tells me what I’ll see. In finding main points on every warbler and its top at Magee Marsh right here (click on at the species title to open the main points).
Be informed extra about Spring Migration Wave Concept and the birds in every wave.
(credit are within the captions)