Date: 4/16/25 5:39 pm From: Lucy & Bob Email via groups.io <RobertADuncan...> Subject: [ALbirds] A primer for beginning birders - today's fallout analysis
Hi all,
Finally birds, lots of birds. From Ft. Morgan, Ft. Pickens and here in our yard in Gulf Breeze birds were seen in the best numbers of the season. Why? This can be considered a moderate fallout, a dry one, no rain involved. Last night winds were N to NE from the northern Gulf all the way down to Panama. Headwinds were not strong, gentle to moderate, but enough to offer some resistance to birds out over the Gulf. These birds were not here yesterday and came in overnight delaying their arrival unlike most fallouts which occur in mid-day to afternoon. Why would birds take off in the first place against headwinds? Panic. This late in the season birds are "anxious" to hurry to their breeding areas and establish a territory claim, so light to moderate winds do not present a hindrance to migrate northward for some birds.
The most plentiful birds today were tanagers, vireos and grosbeaks. Some of these birds winter as far south as Bolivia. Birds don't always leave from northern Yucatan, beginning their flight from as far south as Central America. This would account for arrivals at night rather than in daytime. Warblers were in low numbers compared to the larger birds, perhaps headwinds were at bit too much for them to leave the tropics.
But whatever the reason, they arrived, and there are a lot of happy birders at this end of the Gulf Coast tonight!
Bob DuncanGulf Breeze, FL
