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Posted by Paul-the-other on 01:45:53 03/29/11
In Reply to: Meterology and Migration posted by Alex Harper
Worth more than two cents, I'd say. As a pilot with a background in meteorology and more than a few encounters with migrating birds at various altitudes I can appreciate your overview of the various factors involved with migration.
To the point, radar is some useful information as to what is happening now, it affirms what might be considered predictions based on meteorology but as you so well note that says little as to where the birds will land, refresh, loiter, etc. And field observations are essential as to the conditions of the birds and their feeding activity. I was in a "fall-out" of blue birds mixed with Townsend Solitaires two years past in Yellowstone Lamar Valley. A sudden snow storm had caused a major interruption of their activity. The birds were all over the place and most were just sitting and looking at you. It was one huge blob of exhausted blue and gray. The flight over Electric Peak and Mt. Washburn was the wrong day, wrong time, and could have been a catastrophe for these creatures. But a quick warm up and in two days they were gone. This event highlighted for me that the convergance of what radar reflects and what meteorology sees as well as predicts is a splendid example of the sciences coming together. But the "boots on the ground"---the TAS'ers and all birders then come in with their info to complete the picture. A nice mix, I'd say.
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