Indoor Program – Patrick Comins – Ornithology and Meteorology

No one escapes the weather, least of all birds. Because they basically spend their entire lives outside, weather has a huge influence on their movements and migration. The more that birders understand about the impact of weather on birds, the more productive their birding decisions will be. From something as mundane as knowing to keep feeders full to invite birds during an impending snowstorm to the nearly endless possibilities that a land-falling tropical storm can bring, weather calls the shots. A forecast in autumn for a passing cold front? Watch for south-bound hawks and other migrants heading to their wintering  grounds. A warm front that stalls over the coast on a spring  morning? That could mean a fallout of warblers. Lakes to the north of us starting to  freeze?  Get ready for migrant or wintering waterfowl. These are just a few of the numerous kinds of birding scenarios Patrick will discuss as he explores the implications of weather patterns for birds—and for birders who want to use weather as a tool for better birding.

Please note:  As stated in the Club’s by-laws, the April meeting is traditionally the Annual Meeting, which includes presentation of a slate of officers and their election