Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert Update -- April 22, 2010

Numbers of migrants in Sabine Woods were substantially down over the reduced numbers of yesterday.  The variety was, however, quite good, and Cerulean, Blackburnian and Golden Wing were all seen.  Kentucky and Worm-eating numbers were down, although both were still easy to find.  Hooded became the "default" warbler of the lower vegetation in the west.  There were still a lot of Tennessees.

Swainson's was the commonest thrush, although many Woods Thrush were still around.  Tanagers were present, including a male Western Tanager.  White-eyed was the commonest Vireo, with a few Red-eyed, one or two Yellow-throated and at least one each of Warbling and Philadelphia. Eastern Wood Pewees were more prominent than in recent days.  There were apparently two Black-billed Cuckoos seen.

The Gulf weather is now back to a more normal pattern, with strong south and southeast winds forecast at the surface and at 3,000 ft later tonight.  The satellite picture show a line of cloudiness stretching from south of Brownville across the Gulf to just north of western Cuba.  These may be high level clouds of little concern to migrating birds.  There is cloudiness west clockwise through to northeast off the Yucatan ((Merida).

The conditions suggest perhaps an average flight overnight with little to persuade the migrants to stop at the coast.  The flight may arrive at the coast in the mid to late morning, given the strong tailwinds,

From reports from Steve Dillinger, John Haynes and Sally Moffet.

John A. Whittle