Date: 10/6/26 5:07 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: [ALbirds] morning flight concentration in Mobile this morning
Hello ALBirders:
One of the major mechanisms that appears to direct the movements of migrating birds engaged in morning flight (continuation of nocturnal migration into the early morning, often near tree top level) is an urge in some individuals to fly directly into the wind, apparently as a strategy to correct for wind drift that occurred overnight. This appears to be the explanation for the flights at South Pt in New Orleans.
Based on this concept, and the NE winds that were forecast to occur with the front that just passed, I searched maps for good spot to sky watch from on the west side of Mobile Bay this morning, and settled on Arlington Park, a few minutes off I-10 (and an eBird hotspot).
Without any scouting, I arrived there just before 8AM this morning, and drove as far east as I could (parking ultimately near the start of the boardwalk), with 15 min available to squeeze out of my commute to work.
It was a great 15 min. The sky was filled with northbound migrants the whole time. Counts facing east and west totaled 55 birds passing in a timed minute each direction. The flight was dominated by Indigo Buntings (c. 80%), followed by Palm Warblers, Blue Grosbeaks, and Chimney Swifts.
If this site follows the patterns I know from South Pt in New Orleans, there could be another (albeit usually smaller) echo flight tomorrow morning. If any Mobile birders feel inspired and want to check it out, please let me/us know what you find.
I will only be able to visit this spot on Tue and Thu mornings this fall, and am not sure how many times these days will conveniently align with cold front passages and the pulses of migration that accompany them. I would love to hear if other birders have seen flights of this sort there before, or any new intel they may gather going forward!
