A Blackpoll Warbler singing on the William and Mary campus today kicks off
what will become a impressive spring migration throughout the coastal plain.
Blackpolls reach very high densities in Southeastern Virginia during spring.
A phenomenon that does not seem as pronounced in areas south of the state or
in western portions of Virginia. I would like to hear from western VA
birders to compare densities.
The relatively high abundance of this species in this region is indicative
of its large global population (estimated by Rosenberg and Blancher to be at
21 million birds) and the route traveled to reach boreal breeding zones. In
spring the species must travel in a diagonal fashion from northern portions
of South America, across the Caribbean, and into Northern Canada. It is
rare to see a bird west of Oklahoma or to the west of the Rocky Mountains in
spring or fall.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Mike Wilson
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary
PO Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
phone: 757-221-1649
fax: 757-221-1650
email: mdwils@xxxxxx
www.ccb-wm.org
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