Spurred on by my perception that this years' arrival dates are significantly
behind schedule, a review of my records shows the following.
House wren has been discussed. For the last five years, the first bird seen
(usually not singing) was on:
April 19, 17, 16, 12, and 16, respectively
Usually, the mass of birds arrived simultaneously a day or two later.
This year, I observed on bird on 4/21, but it wasn't until 4/28 that the rest
arrived.
Other common earlyish migrants:
blue-headed vireo: 4/28, 4/19, 4/24, 4/15, 4/10, 3/18; this year, 4/22
wood thrush: 4/18, 4/23, 4/30, 5/1, 5/1; this year, 4/28
catbird: 4/19, 4/20, 4/24, 4/16, 4/22; this year, 4/28
brown thrasher: 5/15(?), 4/16, 4/7, 4/9, 3/29; this year, 4/4
gnatcatcher: 4/22, 4/10, 4/3, 4/13, 4/15; this year, 4/14
ovenbird: 4/21, 4/19, 4/21, 4/19, 4/29; this year, 4/29
yellowthroat (this is not good habitat): 5/6, 5/5, 4/28, 4/24, 4/18; this
year, 4/25
black-throated-green, palm, and parula are about typical.
Also, I have only one previous swamp sparrow after 4/19 in prior years; I've
had one for the last two days.
In sum, house wren, catbird, and ovenbird appear to be significantly late;
others species (so far) not so much.
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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