First, we must understand the generalities of how weather works. The premise is that weather systems generally cross the continent entering off the California coast and moving eastward and exiting the east coast. The big players in favorable migration are the low-pressure cells. Generally, it takes about seven days for a low arriving along the California coast to cross the country. When this low-pressure cell is in the Oklahoma/Arkansas region it sets up the potential for favorable migration in the eastern part of the country. Warm fronts that rotate counter-clockwise off the low collect tropical winds from the Gulf and send them up the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, ultimately to the shores of Lake Erie. Migrant birds ride these fronts, often pushing just ahead of or trailing the front on southwest winds that reduce the cost of flight. Associated with these warm fronts and low pressure is the ever presence of precipitation and heavy storms, that while providing the favorable winds also increase risk of inclement weather. |
Through our research, we have found that large numbers of Neotropical migrants arrive in three “waves”, each of which has two pulses along the south coast of Lake Erie. These “pulses” are usually about seven days apart (the time it takes for a pressure cell to cross). The first wave is dominated by male White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, male (Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler, and male Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and occurs around 24 April. This wave is known as the “overflight” wave as a series of more southern warblers which are early migrants get caught up in the favorable winds and “over-fly” their normal range. |