We are rapidly approaching the end of the waterbird season (Nov 10). Although the count only has two weeks left, late fall is a fantastic time of year for waterfowl migration. Cold weather has drastically increased the abundance of waterfowl around the Straits and the layers of socks of my feet.
Thousands of staging Redhead have already began gathering near the Mackinac Bridge. Each morning at sunrise, these massive flocks disperse northeast towards St Martin Bay. They potentially move to find foraging opportunities during the day. This spectacle can be witnessed from Graham Point during the first 15-20 minutes of the count. On October 22nd, this movement included over 6,000 Redhead. By the end of the week on October 28th, numbers had grown to over 9,000. Staging groups here can reach tens of thousands of individual ducks by December.
The 28th of October brought the first group of Trumpeter Swans for the fall season! This group of 5 landed nearby to rest along the shoreline and then continued on to the south. Recent telemetry studies of Trumpeter Swans at Seney NWR have shown this population migrates eastward in the fall and many are known to pass through the Straits area.
Long-tailed Ducks movements have increased considerably this week. The 25th of October yielded a total of 1,219, the first four digit count day this season. Long-tailed Ducks prefer open water. Staging and migration typically occurs far from the shoreline. In flight, large groups twist and turn in long lines resembling a double helix, which is diagnostic at great distance.
Notable sightings from this week include a single Cackling Goose (1), the eight of this fall season. This individual was migrating south alongside a flock of Canada Geese on October 22nd.
Waterbirds have been distant this week! Late season passerines have been more cooperative for photos. Groups of Snow Buntings are a common sight along shorelines during late fall. A female Pine Grosbeak was found enjoying the seeds of a local tree.