14 September 2023
Pittsburgh’s bird migration forecast looks great for three days in a row. Last night through Friday night will see a huge passage of birds overhead with excellent birding opportunities today, Friday and Saturday.
Here’s what migration radar looked like at 5:00am this morning.
During this massive movement some species are departing, some arriving. Let’s take a look again at Birdcast’s regional list of Species On The Move, described in detail last month, to learn what we can expect to see.
Noticable Departures: Who Just Left?
Lots of species left recently but most of them were shorebirds. Since Pittsburgh doesn’t have a shore we rarely see those listed below. Occasionally a lesser or greater yellowlegs is reported but don’t expect to find one now.
Here’s a quick summary of rapid departures as of 14 September 2023 in a screenshot from BirdCast. Note that cedar waxwings are here right now but will rapidly depart around 27 September. Yellow-billed cuckoos on the list because I always hope.
Peak Influx: What will we see this week? Warblers!
For the Upper Midwest and Northeast region, 13 to 17 September is the peak of warbler migration.
I’ve featured the ovenbird because yesterday (last night!) was its peak influx point. No surprise then that Nick Liadis banded one yesterday at Hays Woods during Linda Roth’s 40 Acres a.k.a. Hays Woods Enthusiasts live stream. Check it out here.
And if you thought you’d seen a lot of magnolia warblers already, the next few days will be exceptional. They reach their regional peak influx on Sunday.
Here’s a screenshot of the Noticeable Peak Influx as of 14 September 2023. Note the exclamation point next to magnolia warbler in the chart below!
With so many birds on the move, now’s the time to get outdoors. Be sure to check BirdCast for the latest forecast.
(photos from Steve Gosser, Lauri Shaffer, Kate St. John. Tables are modified screenshots from BirdCast’s Species On The Move for the Upper Midwest and Northeast. Be sure to check BirdCast for the latest data)