5-4-16

Hello birding friends,

Today, the southern two-thirds of Illinois should be experiencing moderate to heavy migration levels due to southwesterly winds (while the northern third's migration levels should be limited due to rain showers). So tomorrow (Wednesday, May 4), expect moderate levels of turnover in the southern two-thirds of the state, increasing farther southward.

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

5-3-16

Hello birding friends,

Although winds are from the northwest tonight pretty much across the state, they are much lighter tonight which means that I expect there should be moderate migration statewide. It might be smart to check Lake Michigan lakefront sights such as Montrose tomorrow due to the slight westerly component to the wind which will funnel birds slightly to the shoreline because they don't want to fly out over the lake.

Good birding! So happy it's finally May!

Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

5-1-16: Southern IL (Avian) Fallout Possible!

Hello birding friends,

The southern quarter of the state is experiencing very strong levels of avian migration tonight, and with the line of storms coming in from the west, there is a chance this line of storms could cause moderate fallout conditions in the southern quarter of the state tomorrow morning! Communities that fall under this "watch" include but are not limited to Centralia, Mount Vernon, Fairfield, Pinckneyville, Carbondale, Marion, Carmi, and points southward. Trail of Tears State Forest, Crab Orchard NWR, areas of Shawnee National Forest, and other hotspots in the southern quarter of the state would be worth visiting tomorrow morning.

The rest of the state is experiencing negligible levels of avian migration tonight. Planning ahead - for the northern part of the state, winds should shift to being favorable, southwesterly, starting Tuesday night.

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

4-28-16

Hello birding friends,

Tomorrow the only part of the state that should see evidence of turnover should be the southern third of the state, and moderate levels at that.

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

4-25-16

Hello birding friends,

Moderate-to-heavy concentrations of birds migrating over all of Illinois tonight! The southern half of the state is experiencing HEAVY to locally EXTREME densities of bird migration while the northern half of the state is more along the MODERATE to locally HEAVY part of the spectrum. Wherever you are tomorrow, try to get out birding because there should be an evident turnover! There is a good (I'd say 50%) chance that the first real wave of warblers will hit northern Illinois tomorrow morning.

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

4-20-16

Hello birding friends,

As has been the trend lately, tonight the southern half of Illinois is experiencing moderate to possibly locally heavy concentrations of migrants. Northern Illinois is also experiencing movement tonight, but just more on the light to moderate end of the spectrum, with slightly higher densities toward the northeast more so than the northwest. So there should be some turnover statewide tomorrow, but again, more so in southern Illinois!

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Oak Park, Cook County)

4-18-16

Hello birding friends,

The southern half of the state should be experiencing moderate to moderately heavy densities of migrants flying over tonight, while to northern half should experience light to locally moderate densities of migrants. So tomorrow would also be a good morning to get out and hopefully find some new birds, especially if you live in the southern part of the state!

Good birding,
Henry Griffin (Cook County)