Re: Migration Explanation
Robert Ringler (ringler@cct.infi.net)
Fri, 14 May 1999 09:33:06 -0700
Phil,
The three species you mentioned __ Mourning Warbler, Olive-sided
Flycatcher, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher __ are among the rarer migrants
here in spring. I suspect that the spring migration of each is centered
a little farther west in spring than the fall. Also, as Rick pointed out
the fall numbers are augmented by birds of the year. Yellow-bellied Fly
is the rarest of the three. In over 20 years of serious birding here I
have never seen one in spring. Some years it goes unreported in the state
in spring. Olive-sided Fly I have seen perhaps three times in spring and
two of those were in Garrett County, but it is reported somewhere every
spring. Mourning Warbler I average about once every five years but a
handful are reported every spring in the state. So far the numbers are
not unusual. What is unusual is the timing. All three of these species
are most frequently reported in the second half of May. See the Yellow
Book. Another factor to consider is that with MDOsprey we are now
connected to many more observers who are spending more time in the field
than ever before, resulting in more reports.
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg