It still feels like winter in the Straits! Temperatures have started to creep above freezing and water is finally opening up. A constant freeze and thaw cycle has resulted in 13 closures of the Mackinac Bridge due to falling ice chunks so far this season.
Spring migration moves quickly as migrants race north towards breeding grounds. Waterbird diversity has already notably increased. The bulk of early movement this week still consists of Common Merganser (141), Red-breasted Merganser (863), Common Goldeneye (259), Redhead (1,351), and Long-tailed Ducks (818).
A staging raft of over 1,000 Redhead formed immediately as ice cleared near the bridge. Small groups of Greater Scaup (11), Lesser Scaup (22) and Ring-necked Ducks (17) associate regularly with migrating flocks of Redhead.
Dabbling ducks move early in the spring and have started to pass through. This included American Black Duck (13), Gadwall (4), Northern Pintail (1), and Wood Duck (3).
A highlight from this week was a favorable strong east wind and inclement weather on 4/2. This day produced the first White-winged Scoters (3) and Horned Grebe (1) of the season. Two large flocks of Tundra Swans (41) heading north was an impressive sight. The swan trifecta was achieved later in the day with a single Mute (1) and Trumpeter Swan (3)! By the end of the count, freezing rain had completely covered my scope/tripod in a solid layer of ice.
On a calm day at Graham Point on 3/30, a pair of Trumpeter Swans climbed onto the ice at Graham Point for a nice afternoon snooze.
The spring season is ramping up fast. Duck migration will peak from mid to late April. The count is starting to get exciting and will soon offer some fun surprises!