25 May 2016 – Migration Update

Migration continues in spite of my absence – i’ve been out birding far afield.

Nighthawks have arrived in Oregon – i saw one two days ago in Diamond and a couple of the members in my party saw a couple more around Malheur NWR. This kind of ends the arrival notifications but birds are still on the move as they settle in and look for summer nesting locations.

Malheur NWR Headquarters is still shut down as well as the access to Benson Boat Landing.  Labor Day migrant birders will have to do with the CPR and surrounding environs. Good news is that the refuge staff have let the Blitzen waters flow.  A couple of weeks ago the river bed was bone dry at the bridge next to headquarters.  This weekend the river was filling the channel and many fields and canals have water in the northern part of the refuge.  Hit me up if you want a scouting report from the past couple of weeks at Malheur.

This will be the last post of the spring — see you in the fall!

Here it is, your moment of zen:

Winds of the Earth – 850 mb

National Composite Radar

Base Reflectivity – ATX (Seattle)

Base Reflectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflectivity – RTX (Portland)

17 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Well, the Willow Flycatcher is now being reported across the Metro area.  Just getting back i have not checked the listserves but i think all of the neotropical migrants have arrived.  Common Nighthawk being the exception; it has not yet been reported in Oregon.  They have been spotted in isolated sightings in California a few times.

Last night, in spite of a mild head wind, migration through the Metro area was on the heavy side — not so much along the coast.  The winds might have been a bit more intense.

Winds of the Earth – 850 mb

Base Reflectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflectivity – RTX (Portland)

12 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Great night for northbound migrants.  A really weird weather system had the winds mostly out of the south last night and the birds headed north.

Out of the “office” until next Tuesday, so, “look busy birds are coming”

Winds of the Earth – 850 mb

Base Reflectivity – ATX (Seattle)

Base Reflectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflectivity – RTX (Portland)

11 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Short post — heavy migration throughout the region last night.  Still waiting for Willow Flycatcher.

Base Reflectivity – RTX

10 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Winds eased up a bit and shifted to a NNE direction, pushing coastal migrants offshore a bit.  And with that migration picked up as well.

Still waiting to hear of Willow Flycatcher arrivals.  There’s been one report for the metro area — closest other Oregon report is one from Skinner Butte in Eugene. I find this type of dispersion, well, curious.  The next closest report is way the hell down in Bakersfield at the south end of the Central Valley.  Their average arrival date is 13 May, so maybe they are running a bit late this year?  HERE is the 2016 distribution map.

Western Wood Pewees have been around for a couple of days.

Winds of the Earth – 850 mb

Base Reflectivity – ATX (Seattle)

Base Reflectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflectivity – RTX (Portland)

09 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Light to moderate migration last night.  The high pressure ridge we were watching at the end of last week moved north instead of inland.  That kept the winds out of the north.  Birds are moving through just not at peak densities.

Looks like it was a good weekend to be looking for shorebirds on the north coast – if timed right.  Take a look at what my friend Bob scrounged up HERE>

I haven’t caught up with the listserves but Western Tanager, Cassin Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Lazuli Bunting are in.  And this morning i heard the flight calls of Swainson’s Thrush overhead; at least a half a dozen.

Nationally birds were dodging some heavy weather but in the breaks and clear air heavy migration was taking place.

Winds of the Earth

Base Reflectivity – RTX

National Composite Radar

06 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Decent but not solid ‘green doughnut” crazy migration across the Pacific Northwest. Our winds aloft are still out of the north as a high pressure ridge moves in.

Didn’t check the listserves for new arrivals, but i did check in on the National Radar Composite.  Check the wind map — check the migration pattern.  Sparse movement up the Atlantic Flyway and just jamming it up the Mississippi and Central Flyways.

Winds of the Earth

Base Reflectivity – ATX (Seattle)

Base Reflectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflectivity – RTX (Portland)

National Radar Composite

05 May 20160- PNW Migration Update

We’re in between weather systems and the winds are light but out of the north.  Obviously it put a bit of a damper on northbound flight as the migration last night was moderate at best.

Winds of the Earth

Base Reflectivity – RTX

Western Kingbird, Cassin’s Vireo, Hermit and Yellow Warblers, and Lazuli Bunting – first reports from the general Metro area.

02 May 2016 – PNW Migration Update

Nice southerly flows and heavy migration across the Pacific Northwest.

Consistent reports for Black-throated Gray Warbler and new reports for Swainson’s Thrush and Black-headed Grosbeak.

Winds of the Earth

Base Reflcectivity – ATX (Seattle)

Base Reflcectivity – LGX (Gray’s Harbor)

Base Reflcectivity – RTX (Portland)