Blackpoll Warbler - Scientific Studies and Discussion

Scientific Studies and Discussion

The Blackpoll Warbler's transoceanic flight has been the subject of over twenty-five scientific studies. Sources of data include radar observations, bird banding and weights taken, dead birds recovered from field sites and fatal obstacles.

Island stopovers at Bermuda and other places have been cited as evidence of migratory pathways. Baird's conclusion, stated above, differed from Cooke (1904, 1915) and Murray (1965, 1989). Cooke and Murray contended that the Blackpoll Warbler migrates to South America along the mainland of southeastern North America. Baird, Nisbet and others argued that most Blackpoll Warblers fly directly from northeastern North America over the Atlantic Ocean to their winter range. They used data from nocturnal accidents, banding stations and sightings to state that Blackpoll Warblers are rare autumn migrants south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, whereas north of Hatteras they are common. Those holding to a direct oceanic pathway pointed to this evidence to support their hypothesis.

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