Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert Update -- April 21, 2010

There were fewer migrants in the Woods today (April 21) than yesterday, although the species distribution was very similar and the numbers by no means very small.

Twenty-three warbler species are known to have been seen.  Several Ceruleans, both male and female were present, probably two (or more) male Golden-winged Warblers, one of which was very cooperative towards the end of the day, and a male Blackburnian which, not surprisingly, stayed high in the trees.  There were still many, many Worm-eating Warblers (50 is our estimate), Tennessee Warblers, and Kentucky Warblers, although not quite as many of the last mentioned as yesterday.  American Redstart numbers inched up, with both immature male and female included. There was still at least one Louisiana Waterthrush and several Northerns.  A Swainson's Warbler was seen on the west side of "Cottonmouth Meadow" but was not quite as obliging as one of yesterday's.  At least one Palm Warbler was present.  Black-throated Green Warblers were present – perhaps three – but this species is still not present in normal numbers.

Eastern Wood-Pewees were more evident and vocal and two Empidonax, probably Acadian, were seen.  Scarlet Tanagers were in reduced numbers but the total included two or more females.  Summer Tanagers were still present in numbers, mostly but not exclusively males.  Red-eyed Vireo numbers were down somewhat, but there were still many White-eyed, and at least one Warbling.  Thrush numbers were still very high, perhaps only slightly lower than the preceding day, with at least 50 Wood Thrushes and 30 Swainson's.

There was little evidence of significant arrivals during the day today, so today's birds were presumably either holdovers or birds coming "round" the coast to join their normal flight path or some combination of the two.  The Gulf is generally clear, with weak high pressure forecast to develop later tonight in the central and east central Gulf.  Winds are again more or less light and variable, although Merida is indicating NNE at 12 mph.  A southerly flow across the Gulf with increasing winds, especially at 3000 ft) is forecast to develop after midnight.  Ordinarily, the prediction would be that birds might be dissuaded from leaving the northern Yucatan area tonight, but those that do will likely be able to ride southerly winds well inland from the Texas Coast.

Thanks for reports by John Haynes, Sherrie Roden, Steve Dillinger and others.

John A. Whittle