Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert Update -- April 28, 2010

Most of migrants that were in Sabine Woods late yesterday apparently left on their continued journey last night.  Birding was reported good for the first two or three hours of daylight, with good variety but no large numbers.  Well over 20 warbler species were seen during that period.  No first of season species were seen (although only Bay-breasted and Cape May have not been confirmed yet).  The male Mourning Warbler continued, and a Louisiana Waterthrush was still around. 

Swainson's Thrush numbers are significantly down, but Wood Thrushes may have been a little more numerous than yesterday.  There were again Empidonax flycatchers including two obvious Least Flycatchers and two we left as "Traill's" (Willow or Alder).  There were tanagers and grosbeaks, but no large numbers.

The winds at the surface and at 3000 ft over the Gulf are forecast to be mostly easterly low down, more southerly higher up, and more consistently southerly in the northwestern Gulf.  But the whole of Central America from the Isthmus of Tehuntapec to the South American mainland is covered with extensive cloudiness that appears to be thunderstorms and the forecast for the region includes evening thunderstorms for the next three to five days.  If any birds are already in the northern part of the Yucatan, there is nothing that would dissuade them from embarking on the trans-Gulf flight.  However, it could be that birds working their way up from southern Central America and South America will delay for three to five days.  Equally, there is little to cause birds already on the Texas Coast from continuing northwards tonight.

With thanks for reports from Steve Dillinger.

John A. Whittle