Waterbird counts in mid-April have had incredible diversity. Numerous species are currently reaching peak flights for the season. A string of strong West winds and a nice Southeast wind led to significant movements this week.
Dabbling ducks continue to move through in small numbers. Sightings include additional Mallard (134), American Black Duck (19), Northern Pintail (59), American Wigeon (48), Blue-winged Teal (51), Green-winged Teal (62), Northern Shoveler (13), Gadwall (19), and Wood Duck (18).
A recent highlight has been productive movements of aythya ducks, particularly scaup. This week has totaled 678 Greater Scaup and 615 Lesser Scaup. Counts have also consisted of Redhead (1639), Ring-necked Duck (7), and Canvasback (7).
Recent conditions have allowed for a significant push of grebes through the Straits. An impressive movement of 261 Horned Grebe was observed from Graham Point on April 18th. Red-necked Grebes are still staging in numbers, and two separate days this week tallied migrants in the triple digits. In total, this week added 408 Horned Grebe and 305 Red-necked Grebe.
Counts of Common Loons are starting to pick up. A nice push of 152 on April 22nd led to a weekly total of 332, all heading West through the Straits. This species should peak in abundance in the Straits around the first week of May.
Bonapartes Gulls have returned to the Straits area. This week tallied 128 individuals with many more to come. Migrants are highly social and from tightly knit, acrobatic flocks. Breeding plumage birds are attractive in the spring with clean black hoods and bright red legs.
A migrating Short-eared Owl on April 21st made for an exciting moment for the count. The morning had already produced many Northern Harriers (14) moving past McGulpin Point and it was not a surprise to see this individual crossing as well. Short-eared Owls can be active during daylight hours and are often observed during stationary migration counts.
