The fall Waterbird count has been off to a fast start! Migrants took advantage of a favorable cold front moving through the area, resulting in productive flights.
Red-necked Grebe migration is one of the more exciting aspects of the early count season. If you’d like to see them in action, large movements typically occur around late August. This week has totaled 521 migrants.
Common Loons are already starting to trickle through in small numbers. The first week tallied 273 individuals.
Early migrants including Caspian (1) and Common Tern (3) were both observed this week. Small numbers of Bonapartes Gulls have been recorded (14).
A highlight of late August is the peak of fall shorebird migration. This week produced seven different species during the waterbird count. A lone Whimbrel gave observers a fun encounter at McGulpin Point on 08/26/202, foraging the shoreline for invertebrates within 20ft of us.
Other noteworthy sightings include an early Long-tailed Duck lingering around the Straits. This individual is still in its attractive summer plumage and was a delight for spectators. Significant numbers will arrive for staging by late fall.
