[texbirds] Observation of bird migration using weather forecasting technology, 3/20/15
- From: "John Arvin" <jarvin@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "Texbirds" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "LABIRD-L" <LABIRD-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:36:59 -0500
stations; for reasons unknown the Houston/Galveston station upper air
information is not displayed on the internet) and SW (both LA stations).
These directions are perfect for migrants steering around the coastline of
the Gulf but for a potent weather system that includes a cold front and a
heavy rain event that is due to impact the Texas coast this afternoon and
tonight, and eastward tomorrow. The impending weather event will
undoubtedly disrupt both trans-Gulf and circum-Gulf migration with the
result of causing downed migrants to be relatively numerous (it is too
early for a real fallout so "relatively"is the key word here) at
traditional stop-over sites. In the last few days migrating flocks of
Broad-winged Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Anhingas, and departing Sandhill
Cranes have been reported. The Anhingas have been moving through since late
Feb. as have the cranes, the latter being all but completely gone at this
point.
Currently (late a.m.) there are bird-type returns SE of Brownsville over
the Gulf. I would feel better about pronouncing these as trans-Gulf
migrants if they weren't moving at or just below upper wind speeds.
Otherwise, just since I began writing similar stippling-type echoes have
appeared off shore from Houston and Lake Charles. These are moving faster
than posted wind speeds - an indication of powered flight. I would
emphasize this is a very light flight so far, but coastal woodlots could be
interesting if the rain holds off through the afternoon.
John C. Arvin
Research Associate
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
103 West Hwy 332
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
jarvin@xxxxxxxx
www.gcbo.org
Austin, Texas
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