Monday, September 28, 2015

Sept 29 - 30 + Oct 1, 2015

Hello birding friends,

This will be a combined forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept 29) through Thursday (Oct 1) mornings since I have choir tomorrow and Wednesday evenings.

Tonight, Illinois is experiencing widespread MODERATE migration as evidenced by fairly uniform blue radar noise across the state on the current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif). Please note that the much more scattered and green and yellow markings are rain showers as part of the weather systems that are currently sweeping across the midwest. So, tomorrow morning should be a good morning to get out...if it is not raining in your part of the state, that is.

Northerly winds with less rain both tomorrow and Wednesday nights should mean that some nice turnover, arrivals, and influxes should be evident Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Pretty soon I bet those Hermits will start replacing Swainson's Thrush in northern Illinois - get ready!

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-25-september-2-october-2015/#MidwestNortheast
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

In summary, birding should be fairly productive across the state tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, but even more so on Wednesday and Thursday mornings!

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sept 28, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Tonight, Illinois is again experiencing only negligible to light levels of migration, as evidenced by the current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif), due to dominating southerly winds. Of course, tomorrow (Monday) morning should be as good as any to get out while there is still a moderate variety of warblers and other migrants about; however, no huge arrivals or influxes should be expected.

Tomorrow night, winds are forecast to shift to be out of the north; however, showers are expected over much of the state which could disrupt migration then. I will be monitoring the situation closely weather-wise.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-25-september-2-october-2015/#MidwestNortheast
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Sept 27, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Negligible to light migration is occurring throughout the state tonight due to southeasterly headwinds, as seen on the current national composite radar which shows very little radar noise across the state (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif).

These unfavorable conditions should be similar tomorrow night, meaning that little turnover/arrivals and influxes should be evident tomorrow (Sunday) or Monday mornings.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-25-september-2-october-2015/#MidwestNortheast
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sept 26, 2015: Moderate Migration

Hello birding friends,

First of all, tomorrow (Saturday), I will be birding at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary with the Illinois Young Birders Club from 7:00am to about 8:45am. I would love to meet anyone who has any questions or feedback about this season's migration reports...I will be with the probably large and excited group of young birders in the said time period, so I don't think it would be hard to find me there... :-)

Tonight, the entire state is experiencing MODERATE levels of migration, spurred on by nice northeasterly tailwinds. This can be viewed on the current national composite radar, the patchy green radar noise indicating moderate levels of migration throughout the state (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif).

So go birding tomorrow! It should be fairly productive with some further turnover evident...probably birds such as Ruby-crowned Kinglets and White-throated Sparrows should be a bit more abundant in northern parts of the state come tomorrow morning. Also, influxes of species such as Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Winter Wren should start to become fairly evident throughout parts of the state in the coming days.

Tomorrow (Saturday) night appears to be a bit less conducive for migration, as winds will be gradually shifting to be from the southeast, especially in northern parts of the state. (how confusing!)

To predict exactly which species you may find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-25-september-2-october-2015/#MidwestNortheast
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

I hope to see you at Montrose tomorrow (Saturday) morning between 7:00 and 8:45am!

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Sept 24-25, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Due to a choir concert tomorrow night, this migration report will be covering forecasts for both tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.

Tonight, Illinois is experiencing uniformly light-to-moderate migration as seen by the current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif).

Northeast winds throughout the state are fueling this small boost in migration tonight, and birders: it wouldn't hurt going birding tomorrow because there is enough migration tonight to make things interesting but not for those pockets of mid-migration warblers such as Black-throated Green or Bay-breasted to completely disappear.

Friday: wind conditions will be similar tomorrow night to tonight, so I also encourage birders to get out Friday morning as well, if they have the chance. Other typical mid-migration species that might start winging their way south after the next big overnight migration push include Veery, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, and others - so get out there before the trees are completely inundated by Sapsuckers and "Butterbutts!" (Yellow-rumped Warblers)

Liz Day Shorebird Migration Forecast: This concludes the autumn shorebird migration reports because as autumn migration wears on, many birders' primary focus transitions from shorebirds to songbirds (the stage at which most birders are now), raptors, and eventually, waterfowl. Again, my sincerest condolences go to Liz Day's family - a true gem was lost from the birding community this season and in memory of her shorebird report request, the shorebird segment of these migration reports will be dedicated to her as long as I am writing them.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to encounter and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Sept 23, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Shorter report tonight - Illinois is experiencing widespread light migration as evidenced by the current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif).

This more widespread migration is due to light and variable winds across the state. Tomorrow (Wednesday) night, winds should shift to be noticeably more northerly for the entire state, so I would expect moderate turnover on Thursday morning.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to encounter and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's Illinois species occurrence chart: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

In summary, it would be worth birding both tomorrow and Thursday mornings, but especially on Thursday.

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/



Monday, September 21, 2015

Sept 22, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Tonight, Illinois is experiencing the same avian migration trend as yesterday. Southerly winds over northern Illinois are grounding birds over the northern two thirds of the state while northerly winds in southern Illinois is creating some light movement in the far southern third of the state, as seen on the current national composite radar: (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif)

This wind and resulting migration pattern, looking at various local forecasts, should also occur tomorrow night.

In summary, it would of course be worth birding tomorrow to see all of the migrants that are currently stuck in much of the state since they will be gone in due time; however, there shouldn't be much evidence of turnover tomorrow morning.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Not much new in this department.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's Illinois species occurrence chart: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Sept 21, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Tonight all of Illinois, except for, strangely, the northwestern region, is receiving fairly uniform light migration. The current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif) is also detecting some patchy areas of moderate migration in the southern regions of the state tonight.

Tomorrow night should bring very similar conditions; southerly winds over the northern half of the state will likely contribute to little migration there while northernly winds in the southern half may cause some movement in the southern half of Illinois.

I certainly noticed some turnover today. On my Oak Park Bird Walk, characteristic late-migration species such as Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Yellow-rumped Warbler were detected for the first time in my neighborhood this fall.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Nothing really new in this department as we are nearing the end of shorebird migration. Keep checking Lake Michigan as well as inland locations like Emiquon and Chautauqua, etc. Due to shorebird migration diminishing over much of the state, I am going to stop doing these mini shorebird reports until next spring starting in about a week or so.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to see and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's Illinois species occurrence chart: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Sept 20, 2015: Widespread Movement

Hello birding friends,

Due to light northerly winds across ALL parts of Illinois tonight, Illinois is experiencing WIDESPREAD MODERATE to HEAVY migration, which can be seen on the current national composite radar: (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif)

So I strongly encourage birders in all areas of the state to get out and go birding tomorrow (Sunday) morning. Looking ahead to tomorrow night, it appears that northern areas of the state will be receiving southerly headwinds and therefore little migration will occur there, while southern areas will receive northerly tailwinds which could cause a larger turnover in southern Illinois; however, it will more likely cause a phenomenon where birds moving out of the state will not be replenished by influxes from the north, meaning Monday morning should be much less productive than tomorrow across most of the state.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Late-migration shorebird targets for Illinois include American Golden-Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, both (or one?) Dowitchers, and Wilson's Snipe. Look for the Golden Plover in sod farm habitats, Snipe in overgrown wetland areas, and all others in mudflat and other wetland areas.

To predict exactly which species you may see and when, consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's species occurrence map for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Go birding tomorrow (Sunday) morning!

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Friday, September 18, 2015

Sept 19, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Tonight, wherever it is not raining in Illinois, the state is experiencing light concentrations of migration. This does not mean a large influx of birds will be easily noticeable tomorrow morning, but there is more movement tonight than for most of this week, as evidenced by the uniform blue radar noise on the current national composite radar as of posting time at 10:35pm: (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif)

Also, the fact that birds are migrating where there is not storms means that southern Illinois should be experiencing more movement than northern regions of the state tonight due to the bulk of the precipitation once again being in the northern part of the state.

What to expect for the next couple of days? Maybe slightly more arrivals and influxes tomorrow morning; however, I am forecasting a big push of birds arriving Sunday morning after the first night of light, northerly winds following a week of headwinds - meaning that birds that have been grounded for a relatively long time will "spring into action" tomorrow night and turnover should be visible on Sunday.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Basically as I have been saying over the last few days, there are some perks to looking for shorebirds late in the season for rare possibilities such as Red Knot; however, I believe that many birders should be focusing their concentration now on the migrant warblers and other songbirds because before we know it, many will have left by the time October comes around - which is when I will terminate these mini shorebird reports until next April. Enjoy the neotropical migrants while you can!

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's new regional migration forecast for this coming week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-18-25-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

I love migration. Today just while walking home from school I saw a Great Blue Heron fly over my hometown Oak Park, which is an anomaly because OP is relatively far away from the nearest water source (Des Plaines River). It is only the fifth GB Heron I have ever seen here, and they have all been flyover sightings. I hope all of you are getting out and enjoying the magic of migration! I will certainly be doing so this weekend by leading two Oak Park Bird Walks (btw, the Sunday 8am walk still has 3 spaces open!).

So it wouldn't hurt to go birding tomorrow (Saturday) morning; however, I strongly encourage that birders try to get out on Sunday!

Good birding,

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Sept 18, 2015

Hello birding friends,

The entire state of Illinois is experiencing a dearth of migration tonight. The northern half is currently experiencing southerly headwinds and thunderstorms will later move in, further grounding bird's movements. Across the southern half of the state, little precipitation is expected; however, southerly winds will be keeping birds from migrating the entire night. All of this lack of movement and abundance of storms moving into the northern half of the state can be seen on the current national composite radar: (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif)

Analyzing the hourly and daily forecasts on the weather channel for multiple locations across the state, it appears that storms will be abundant in the northern half of the state over the next 24-30 hours while southerly winds will be reigning in all parts of the state roughly during that same time period. These are all factors that will prevent birds from migrating in large quantities until Saturday night, so Sunday morning should be the first morning with noticeable turnover in the near future.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Keep checking Lake Michigan lakefront locations and inland shorebird "hubs" for shorebirds! Although it is late in the season, good species are still being seen at various Lake County lakefront sites, and inland, more southerly locations such as Emiquon and Chautauqua. Sanderling and Semipalmated Sandpiper should be some of the more common shorebird species (depending on habitat) migrating through that are slightly more late-shorebird-migration-prone in their habits.

To forecast exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-11-18-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's species occurrence map for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

In conclusion, tomorrow and Saturday mornings should yield little turnover for the state whereas Sunday morning has the possibility to be quite productive.

Good birding!

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Monday, September 14, 2015

Sept 15 - 17, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Due to commitments tomorrow and Wednesday evenings, I will not be posting reports until Thursday night. That means that this report is covering Tuesday through Thursday mornings.

I can tell you, folks, that you will not be missing out on much by my not reporting because the national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif) looks extremely quiet tonight, and with the southerly winds that are forecast to remain in place until Saturday, not many new arrivals and influxes will appear in our state until about Sunday morning if the forecast remains the same. If an anomaly happens; however, and there is an unexpected big push of migrants before Thursday, I will try to post a quick note to warn everyone.

In summary, not much turnover should be expected until Sunday morning, when I am predicting a pretty huge push of new migrants will come into the state.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Shorebirds continue at many locations throughout the state; however, in lesser densities. Locations such as Emiquon or Chautauqua should still be checked for any remaining large flocks and any interesting species such as lingering godwits. Also, lakefront locations like Montrose Beach (especially in very early morning to avoid the dogs!) would be worth checking for species such as Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover or perhaps any of the southbound Illinois-fledged Piping Plovers...?

To predict exactly which species you are likely to see over the next few days, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-11-18-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's Illinois species occurrence chart: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding!

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sept 14, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Illinois is experiencing negligible migration tonight due to southerly headwinds that are currently in place and should unfortunately stick around until Friday or Saturday. One can see this lack of migration very plainly as evidenced by the lack of radar noise on the current national composite radar (http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif), especially when compared to the recent bursts of green radar noise we have recently been spoiled with here in Illinois.

The birding won't be bad, per se, because this is, after all, the middle of fall migration so many migrants are essentially "trapped" in Illinois by these unfavorable southerly winds. The next big push/turnover of migrants should happen Saturday morning for northern Illinois and Sunday morning for more southern regions. The forecast could always change; however, and I will be monitoring the situation.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Shorebirds are continuing to wind down; however, one could still expect anomalies such as Al Stokie's recent Lake Michigan shoreline Long-billed dowitcher!

To predict exactly which birds you are likely to find and when, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-11-18-september-2015/
-and-
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

Good birding,

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Friday, September 11, 2015

Sept 12 - 13, 2015

Hello birding friends,

This is the combined migration report for Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 because I have an all-day choir retreat tomorrow and therefore won't be able to post.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FORECAST:

MODERATE to HEAVY migration STATE-WIDE is occurring tonight as evidenced by fairly even green radar noise showing up on the national composite radar, which can be found here: http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif

Migration may be grounded later tonight in northern Illinois due to rain showers that are forecast to move in very late/very early morning so I would conclude that there is about a 40 PERCENT CHANCE for FALL-OUT CONDITIONS in the northern half of the state, especially in the western region and along Lake Michigan hotspots.

Migration is occurring in moderate to locally heavy densities because the entire state is experiencing northerly tailwinds tonight, spurring birds to migrate in fairly even densities that will hopefully be productive for birding tomorrow morning. View the current wind conditions here: http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-89.19,40.03,2455

So wherever you are in the state tomorrow morning, it would be worth getting out.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 FORECAST:

The forecast for tomorrow (Saturday) night calls for northerly winds again state-wide but with no precipitation. Birds should also migrate in moderate densities tomorrow night because northerly winds, as tailwinds for the birds, are conducive for migration. Birders statewide should therefore also get out Sunday morning, which is forecast to be about equally as productive as tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

As we near the middle of September, warblers should experience some turnover with species such as Mourning and Connecticut starting to move out of northern Illinois while Black-throated Green Warblers become even more prominent and the first few Yellow-rumped Warblers start to appear.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: As September wears on, shorebirds should overall be growing less numerous; however, many species should still be lingering and places like Emiquon or Chautauqua, and it would be worth checking for an uncommon Red Knot that could show up along a Lake Michigan or possibly an inland location sometime.

To find out exactly which avian species you are likely to see, please consult:
BirdCast's regional migration forecast for this week: http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-11-18-september-2015/
eBird's species occurrence chart for Illinois: http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&getLocations=states&states=US-IL&parentState=US-IL&reportType=location&monthRadio=on&bMonth=08&eMonth=11&bYear=1900&eYear=2015&continue.x=63&continue.y=9&continue=Continue

In conclusion, it would be worth birding anywhere in the state both tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday mornings!

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Sept 11, 2015 (Very Short)

Hello birding friends,

Just a quick note tonight because I am extremely tired from a very busy and tough school week. Illinois is experiencing light to moderate migration tight with Northeast portions of the state, especially along the lakefront, receiving densities of migrants more towards the moderate end of the spectrum. View the current national composite radar here: http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/radar/us3comp.gif

Lake Michigan "migrant traps" would be worth checking tomorrow morning - other than that, the state is overall quieter than the last few nights.

Good birding,

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Sept 9, 2015: Heavy Migration - Northern Illinois (+ Sept 10 Report)

Hello birding friends,

This is a combined migration report for tonight and tomorrow (Wednesday) night because I will not be reporting then.

Looking at the current national composite radar, the NORTHERN 1/3 of Illinois is experiencing MODERATE to HEAVY MIGRATION tonight spurred on by little precipitation and favorable northerly tailwinds. This is evidenced by the expansive green areas of radar noise in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, indicating 300 - 3000 birds per cubic kilometer.

The central 1/3 of Illinois should be experiencing light to moderate migration, depending on how far north the storms reach in Illinois tonight (storms inhibit bird migration).

The southern 1/3 of the state should only see negligible to light amounts of migration tonight because of the storms that will be in the area tonight and into tomorrow.

MIGRATION REPORT FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10:

Northerly winds in the northern 1/2 of the state and variable winds in the southern 1/2 of the state should mean moderate to heavy concentrations of migrants for all of Illinois Wednesday night. All areas of the state, especially the northern half, should be worth birding Thursday morning.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: Desirable late shorebird-migration species that should start appearing/have already started to appear in mudflat areas should be Red Knot and Stilt Sandpiper. Also, start looking for migrating Wilson's Snipe in more overgrown wetland areas, although it wouldn't be an anomaly to find one on a mudflat, as well.

To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and when, please reference:
Birdcast's regional migration forecast for this week
and
eBird's Illinois species occurrence map

In summary, NORTHERN Illinois birders should GO BIRDING TOMORROW and ALL Illinois birders should go on THURSDAY morning!

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Monday, September 7, 2015

Sept 8, 2015: Dedicated to Liz Day

Hello birding friends,

This migration report is dedicated to Liz Day, a very kind birder from Indianapolis, IN who recently passed away. She will be missed and my connection to her was that she emailed me, complimenting me on these reports on August 22, so just last month. In that email, she also suggested that I give "shorebird forecasts" because they are notoriously more enigmatic than songbirds in their migration habits. So part of this migration report will be a "shorebird forecast" in memory of Liz. My sincerest condolences go to Liz's family during this hard time.

Tonight, Illinois is not experiencing uniform migration. As evidenced by the current national composite radar, the southern three quarters (3/4) of Illinois are receiving negligible to very light amounts of migration tonight. The NORTHERN quarter of Illinois is experiencing MODERATE to HEAVY migration levels, and if one looks just further north into Wisconsin, some parts of that state are receiving heavy to extremely heavy amounts of migration tonight. GO BIRDING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING IF YOU ARE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

Liz Day Shorebird Forecast: As September wears on, shorebirds should be dwindling; however, one should still be on the lookout on mudflats at notorious "shorebird traps" such as Hennepin-Hopper for both Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Least, Pectoral, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and if one is lucky, Red Knot or Stilt Sandpiper. In more overgrown wetland areas, one should also be on the lookout for Wilson's Snipes which are moving southward in more noticeable numbers now. To predict exactly which species you are likely to find and exactly when, consult Birdcast's new regional migration forecast for the week
and
eBird's Illinois species occurrence map

So in summary, birders in the northern quarter of Illinois should DEFINITELY GO BIRDING tomorrow morning as evidenced by moderate to heavy amounts of arrivals and influxes showing up as radar noise coming into the northern part of the state tonight. Wednesday morning is also looking to possibly have huge numbers of migrant birds because of northwesterly tailwinds forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

Again, my sincerest condolences go to Liz Day's family; what a loss to the birding community.

Henry (Oak Park, Cook Country)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Friday, September 4, 2015

Sept 5 - 7, 2015

Hello birding friends,

This post will be for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, September 5 - 7 (I will be in Michigan and without access to internet over the weekend).

Tonight, Illinois is experiencing uniformly light to moderate migration, nothing out of the ordinary. This should continue for the next two nights, so unless the forecasted southerly winds shift while I am away, there will have probably been nothing noteworthy to report anyway. Here is the daily migration run-down until Wednesday morning, which is the next morning when a big turnover of birds should be expected.

Saturday morning: not many arrivals/influxes
Sunday morning: same
Monday morning: same
Tuesday morning: same
Wednesday morning: probable big push of migrants

So the next time I will post will be Monday night, and if wind forecasts remain constant, the next turnover of migrants should be evident on Wednesday morning.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Sept 4, 2015: Moderate to Heavy Migration

Hello birding friends,

HEAVY MIGRATION tonight for CHICAGO & NORTHEAST Illinois as evidenced by green radar noise on the current national composite radar, indicating 300 - 3000 migrant birds per cubic kilometer - that's a lot of birds. Get out to Montrose Point, North Pond, Jackson Park, or other lakefront "migrant traps" tomorrow morning.

MODERATE to HEAVY MIGRATION for the entire northern 1/5 (one fifth) of Illinois because of large green areas of radar noise on the radar in Wisconsin just north of much of the IL-WI border.

LIGHT to MODERATE MIGRATION for the rest of the state; that is, the southern 4/5 (four fifths) of Illinois.

Surprise northerly winds have come into much of Illinois briefly tonight, spurring on a wealth of bird migration, especially in northern areas of the state.

I learned that I will be leaving for Michigan on Saturday, so I will make one longer post tomorrow (Friday) night for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings. Then, I will start posting regularly again on Monday night.

Changes in the wind forecast call for possible moderate migration with easterly winds tomorrow (Friday) night and then a lull in migration setting in with the return of southerly winds and high temperatures for a few days. Tuesday morning looks like it should be good with regards to new arrivals and influxes. Here is the run-down for the next few days in Illinois:

Friday morning: Birders in northern, especially northeastern Illinois should GO BIRDING!
Saturday morning: Another favorable morning; go birding again!
Sunday morning: should be quieter
Monday morning: also quiet
Tuesday morning: possibly productive morning; go birding!

I really hope birders in the Chicagoland area as well as much of northern Illinois get out and go birding tomorrow (Friday) morning!

To predict which species you are likely to find and exactly when, please reference:
Birdcast's regional migration forecast
and
eBird's Illinois species occurrence map

Go birding!

Henry (Oak Park, Cook County)
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Sept 3, 2015

Hello birding friends,

As evidenced by the current national composite radar, Illinois is once again experiencing only marginal avian movements over our skies tonight. It appears that roughly the eastern half of Illinois is receiving slightly more movement than the western half tonight, but wherever you are in the state tomorrow, bird movement should not be that evident.

Here is what we should be expecting in the near future: winds will remain southerly, as evidenced by all of the hot temperatures in our forecast, until Monday night. Next Tuesday morning should receive a big push of migrants.

I will be reporting again tomorrow and then I will take Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights off because I will be in Michigan over Labor Day weekend and without internet access for posting. I will make sure to post Monday night so that I can update everyone on what is looking to be a very productive next Tuesday morning.

As evidenced by recent IBET and IBF reports, new species are coming into our area. Stilt Sandpipers are more "common" (relatively speaking) than some other of the more uncommon shorebirds typical of early migration, warblers are slowly but surely increasing and spreading southward throughout Illinois, and some rarities like the Swallow-tailed Kite have even been appearing! To predict exactly which species you will see, please visit:
Birdcast's regional migration forecast
and
eBird's Illinois species occurrence chart

Good birding!

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Sept 2, 2015

Hello birding friends,

Quite frankly, Illinois is experiencing negligible amounts of movement over our skies tonight and we shouldn't see any noticeable pushes of migrants until Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9 - that's about a week from now. This is due to a high pressure system that is and will be sitting over us for about a week, delivering hot temperatures along with unfavorable southerly winds.

The northern two third of Illinois are experiencing very little, if any, migration at all while the southern third is experiencing migration in light concentrations tonight as seen from the current national composite radar.

That's it for tonight folks; it's been another long day for me, another early morning for school tomorrow, and a lack of migrants make for a short migration report.

To forecast what birds you will seeing and when, visit:
Birdcast's regional migration forecast
and
eBird's Illinois species occurrence map

Good birding,

Henry
trumpetswan@comcast.net
ilmigration.blogspot.com
worldbirding.travellerspoint.com
sites.google.com/site/opbirdwalks/