Mid-late April Arbor Hills Forecast

[chris runk]

Arbor Hills is headed towards the peak of migration. As we move through the last part of April, the species of birds will increase. The species count historically is 63, 80 and 104 for the 3rd and 4th week of April and the 1st week of May, respectively. During the last two weeks of April, keep your eyes to the sky for soaring hawks and kites. Swainson's Hawks for the past few years have been very active in the back prairie. Both Black-chinned and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are now present. Great Crested & Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Western & Eastern Kingbirds are moving through. Warbling and Blue-headed Vireo's may start appearing. House Wren and Swainson's Thrush will become easier to find as they sing. Warbler activity will still be light until the end of April and the first part of May. Clay-colored, Lark, Grasshopper & LeConte's Sparrows have all made appearances at Arbor Hills in the later part of April. That time frame is also the only time Sedge Wrens have moved through. Two of my favorite birds also return during this time: Indigo and Painted Buntings.

Thanks, as always, to Perry Ping for providing the Arbor Hills forecast.