Hey Bill,
Maybe...but as you know the 4 species of flycatchers you mention are
classic late migrants anyway. In Columbus I had my first Willow Fly
on 5/13 which seemed right on schedule. Other species of circum-gulf
migrants like Warbling Vireo seemed right on time or even a tad early
(had my first on 4/20). But this is only anecdotal data from one
observer.
I think the eBird animated STEM maps could be useful in the future for
testing hypotheses like how continental weather patterns might
influence the pace of migration. It would be cool to view animated
STEM maps for different years side-by-side and see if the weather
seems to be related to relative timing of these migratory pathways.
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/patterns-from-ebird-migration-on-the-gulf
Dave
On Mon, May 23, 2011 at 08:09, Bill Whan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Yesterday's reports stir me to ask a question: is there a quick
> reference somewhere showing the migratory pathways (northbound and
> southbound) of migrant birds in eastern North America? Seems to me this
> would be of value to the observer, like me for instance, who has not
> memorized all these.
> Having some simple illustrations of routes--from the elaborate and
> unusual one of the whimbrel, to simpler ones like the ruby-throated
> hummingbird--would add a lot to people's understanding of birds that
> spend most of their lives elsewhere. The only field guide I know to do
> much (but not nearly enough) of this is the Nat'l Geo guide; if you look
> at the range maps for flycatchers, small arrows indicate an overland,
> not over-ocean, northbound route for olive-sided, yellow-bellied, alder,
> and willow. And if you look at reports from yesterday across the state
> you will see a pattern. One is tempted to conclude that the nearly
> constant presence of heavy rain and violent weather this spring
> stretching up the Mississippi Valley from Texas may have delayed birds
> that pass through Mexico on their way here, while trans-Gulf migrants
> got a free ride, explaining early arrivals for many warblers...here in
> Columbus, we had 37 species of these by 9 May this year.
> Another inch so far this a.m. in my rain gauge,
> Bill Whan
> Columbus
>
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