Peak of spring mifration?

[Shortsighted]

It's May 14th and based on my recall it represents the very peak of the warbler migration.
So far I've seen two warblers and the first one (a Myrtle) was many weeks ago. I saw a
Palm warbler a few days ago. That's it! I mean, I can't go out looking for them but normally
during the peak I can see at least Magnolia warblers just across the street in the woods.
This year the woods are quiet and absolutely nothing moves except maybe a chickadee, or
a Goldfinch. Is the migration later this year because the birds don't need to deal with the
fireworks of Victoria Day? How do they know its cancelled?

[thouc]

The Polar Vortex hasn't been very conducive to migration, so a lot is backed up I believe. None of the later warblers have shown up yet, and even Yellow-rumps haven't been very numerous. Yellow Warblers seems to have been more on schedule than the rest, at least down here in Elgin County. Should be an inflow the next few days with the warmer weather. We better pay attention, as they are in a hurry and might pass us quickly.

See https://birdcast.info/ for the U.S. forecast of bird migration the next three days. Looks to be heavy migration just south of us tonight, so they are getting closer.

[orchidpoet]

Is it a yellow warbler? I took the shot in Brickworks on Wednesday.

[lovemypt]

yes

[thouc]

The warblers arrived today!

[Dinusaur]

The warblers arrived today!

And they probably took off overnight. Only saw a few in Downsview Park this morning (May 16).

[Steve Hood]

Rondeau seems to be much better today.  Most of the birds are higher up but I did gets to see many Warblers:  Golden-winged, Canada, Wilson's, Cape May, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Parula, Black-throated Blue/Green, Magnolia, Nashville, Pine, Palm, Black and White, Redstart, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Ovenbird and Prothonotary.  I also had a close-up view of the Scarlet Tanager and there were many flycatchers as well.  I believe we will see all early and late birds come in over the next few days including females (saw a female black-throated Blue Warbler today)

[Dinusaur]

Rondeau seems to be much better today.  Most of the birds are higher up but I did gets to see many Warblers:  Golden-winged, Canada, Wilson's, Cape May, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Parula, Black-throated Blue/Green, Magnolia, Nashville, Pine, Palm, Black and White, Redstart, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, Ovenbird and Prothonotary.  I also had a close-up view of the Scarlet Tanager and there were many flycatchers as well.  I believe we will see all early and late birds come in over the next few days including females (saw a female black-throated Blue Warbler today)

Oh wow; looks like Rondeau was the place to be. Did you have any luck with the Kirtland's?

[thouc]

I was able to find the Kirtland's in the evening, it stuck to the same area the whole day. A lifer for me.



Nice they opened the provincial parks just in time for the big warbler push.

[Dinusaur]

Great shot the Kirland's - I wished I ventured out, it would've been my lifer too. Ah well, better luck next time.

[Steve Hood]

I missed out on both the Kirkland and Summer Tanager.  Hopefully the next time

[Steve Hood]

Cornell Labs posted a detailed write up today on the migration of birds in the North-East over the next few days.   It looks like it might pick up again.

https://birdcast.info/scientific-discus ... -may-2020/

"For some perspective on May … this has been the slowest evolving May going back to the 1990s. For example, temperatures at the Binghamton airport for May are averaging 5.4 degrees below normal (see the graphic below!). Many other areas in the northeast are experiencing similar colder than normal temperatures. The leaves on many deciduous tree species are well behind where they normally are in late May. For example, in the southern tier of New York, oaks are just budding and maples are finally showing a light green haze.  In one week, we should see a rapid leaf out of many species of trees and migration picking up again. Next week’s anticipated migration could be “fast and furious” because many of these species are itching to get to their breeding grounds and probably won’t stay around long. So birders should try to get out as much as possible in the next week!"