Below is a snapshot of the national map with radar and weather fronts. Use this map to get an overall feel of migration and how weather affects nocturnal migration.
Today we start to see a cold front approaching the Mid-West and the Gulf States, also of interest is TD Karen. Birders along the Gulf Shores should be looking out for any pelagic birds pushed north out of the Gulf of Mexico. As the storm approaches the realization that this front and tropical system could meet somewhere and create some nutty conditions, keep your eyes in the weather reports.
Nocturnal migration was evident over northeastern FL overnight with heavy to moderate migration overhead at times. Looking farther down the state, weaker more moderate migration conditions persist. Birds have been holding tight for a week or so, as this latest cold front moves in we expect a large migratory flight to occur. The front is dragging very cold air behind it, as this front sweeps across the SE birds are expected to move into the state. The cold temps associated with this front may cause foggy and rainy conditions with its arrival to warm and muggy Florida. This could lead to some real good birding during a time where diversity shines.
Today tried and true migrant traps will be your best bet. Easterly winds will help make inland site interesting today, coastal migrant traps both on the east and west coast may see some new faces this morning. Best birding should be in the top third of the state. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful day, let us know what you saw on our Facebook Page or send us an email, or even post here!
Today we will be presenting our Radar Birding 101 Workshop at the Lake County Wings & Wildlife Festival. If you are in the neighborhood try and make it. We begin at 9:30 a.m. and finish up around 10:30 a.m. Have a great day all!
Our computer is still down and we were unable to download and post the radar as usual so we are doing the second best thing. Below is a list of links to radar loops from 2am-6am.
The regional radar is in reflectivity mode which is best used to quantify birds and to get a picture of where they are moving from. The rest of the radar links are velocity radars, these are best used to determine speed and direction of travel. With these images you are looking at light blue-dark blue returns (incoming birds) and yellow-orange (outgoing birds). The grayish line between the two colors is the line of axis, this line will give you an idea of which direction birds are entering the radar from and which direction they are flying as they exit radar range.
As always Badbirdz depends on its readers to help us understand the magic of bird migration. We ask our readers to take a minute to email us at badbirdz-reloaded@hotmail.com, post a comment on the site or share what you are seeing on our Facebook page. As a whole the Florida birding community is large and enthusiastic about bird migration, lets join together this year to make Badbirdz an integral part of every birders toolbox. Together we can track and monitor birds and learn more about this phenomenon called MIGRATION!
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