I’m pleased to be back in Mackinaw City to conduct this fall’s waterbird count! This is a bit out of order since I have yet to post the spring waterbird count summary, but I will post that soon.
The fall count has started off great. In just the first hour of the first day I surpassed the entire spring total of Red-necked Grebes (which was only 20). Red-necked Grebes and Double-crested Cormorants are the main species on the move right now, with a handful of Common Loons as well. Very few ducks so far, but of note were 4 White-winged Scoters.
August 20
Canada Goose – 15
Mallard – 1
White-winged Scoter – 3
Hooded Merganser – 1
duck sp. – 1
Common Loon – 5
Red-necked Grebe – 59
Double-crested Cormorant – 115
Great Blue Heron – 5
Green Heron – 1
Bald Eagle – 3
Spotted Sandpiper – 4
August 21
(Strong winds and dense heat shimmer resulted in some missed IDs)
Common Merganser – 1
duck sp. – 26
Common Loon – 7
loon sp. – 3
Horned Grebe – 6
Red-necked Grebe – 97
Double-crested Cormorant – 87
Great Blue Heron – 1
Northern Harrier – 1
Bald Eagle – 1
August 22
Canada Goose – 7
White-winged Scoter – 1
Hooded Merganser – 6
Common Loon – 16
loon sp. – 1
Horned Grebe – 5
Red-necked Grebe – 81
Double-crested Cormorant – 177
Great Blue Heron – 1
Turkey Vulture – 1
Northern Harrier – 3
Bald Eagle – 5
Merlin – 1
