21 April 2024
Black Swamp Chook Observatory (BSBO) at Magee Marsh Wildlife Space in Ohio has been banding birds for greater than three many years. After they analyzed their warbler information since 1992, the arrivals and departures fell into three distinct waves with the identical species in these waves 12 months after 12 months.
This led to their Spring Migration Wave Idea, illustrated on BSBO’s web site. I’ve embedded their graphic and made it tiny on objective in order that you’ll click on on the picture to see all the main points within the unique.
BSBO describes the waves and their timing in northwestern Ohio. These timings don’t at all times apply to Pittsburgh. We’re between the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, so birds usually get right here final.
The first wave dominated by male White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, male Myrtle Warbler, and male Ruby-crowned Kinglet happens round 25 April [in Northwestern Ohio]. Sub-dominant warblers embody the Black-throated Inexperienced, Black-and-white, and Nashville. …
The second wave, generally known as the large wave, happens 7-13 Could [in Northwestern Ohio] and is represented by the best species variety of the spring … The second pulse of this wave coming 5 to seven days after, often has the biggest quantity. …
The third wave usually comes round Memorial Day weekend [in Northwestern Ohio] and is dominated by feminine Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Mourning Warbler, vireos, and flycatchers.
— Black SwamP Chook Observatory: Spring Migration Wave Idea (boldface added)
Which species are in every wave?
In Pittsburgh the First Wave accommodates species we’ve already seen 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 Second Wave is the Greatest Week in American Birding at Magee Marsh and the most important couple of weeks in Pittsburgh. Species embody stragglers from the First Wave, too.
The Third Wave contains mourning warblers and the rarely-seen-in-Pittsburgh Connecticut warbler. If you wish to see a Connecticut warbler at Magee Marsh, their peak is 20-27 Could.
The Spring Migration Wave Idea explains why I’ve by no means seen some species in Could in northwestern Ohio. I assumed they didn’t come there however the true cause is that I wasn’t there after they handed via. I’ve at all times visited Magee Marsh within the second week of Could so I’ve by no means seen a Louisiana waterthrush nor a Connecticut warbler whereas there.
This 12 months I’m going per week sooner than typical; the BSBO web site tells me what I’ll see. Discover particulars on every warbler and its peak at Magee Marsh right here (click on on the species identify to open the main points).
Study extra about Spring Migration Wave Idea and the birds in every wave.
(credit are within the captions)
