May 1, 2022September 15, 2022 by L. L. Coble

Early May Migration

National Weather Service radar showed a sizeable nocturnal flight of migrating birds early this morning. Let’s go for a short stroll and see what’s around.

Radar returns from State College, Pennsylvania, display several bands of light rain and a massive flight of migrating birds. (NOAA/National Weather Service image)

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Gray Catbird — After coming in on an overnight flight, Gray Catbirds were numerous at dawn this morning.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Black-and-white Warbler — Masses of Neotropical migrants are just beginning to arrive. This Black-and-white Warbler was found feeding on insects in a Green Ash tree that, so far, has survived Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) infestation.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Veery — The Veery is a Neotropical thrush that nests in understory vegetation on forested slopes in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Orchard Oriole — Orchard Orioles are here.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Baltimore Oriole — And Baltimore Orioles are here too. Vibrant colors like these are what many observers find so wonderful about many of the Neotropical species.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Double-crested Cormorants — Not all migrants move at night. While you’re out and about, keep an eye on the sky for diurnal fliers like these migrating Double-crested Cormorants, seen this morning a full ten miles east of the river.

Birds of Conewago Falls in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed: Carolina Wren — While many birds are still working their way north to their breeding grounds, resident species like this Carolina Wren are already feeding young. This one has collected a spider for its nestlings.

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