Weekly totals are in ().
Cool fall mornings during the latter part of September are brightened by waves of migrants through the Mackinac Straits and Great Lakes region. Morning flights of passerines are now dominated by Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Pipits. Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch numbers have all notably increased this week. The first Rusty Blackbird and Horned Lark sightings of the season occurred as a continuing sign of change. White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows are now also present in numbers and will be throughout the fall count.
Canada Geese(2,006) are now in their peak migration form with massive daily movements all week. Our third Cackling Goose(1) of the season flew over McGulpin Point within a flock of Canada Geese on 9/21. Sightings of Sandhill Cranes(75) picked up over the last few days as well with groups catching thermals created by warm, sunny fall afternoons.
This week was highlighted by several exciting arrivals to the count! On 9/18, strong northeast winds brought two Sabine’s Gulls(2) by Graham Point! These captivating, Arctic nesting gulls are rarely seen around the Great Lakes. Like the local gulls, Common Tern and Caspian Tern nest on islands around the Mackinac Straits. Most of these terns have left breeding grounds and are now southbound for the winter. Forster’s Tern sightings are uncommon in the northern Great Lakes, but sightings do typically occur during spring and fall migration. On 9/20, another day of strong northeast winds, one Forster’s Tern(1) was observed from Graham Point!
Shorebirds continue to trickle through the Straits in small numbers. Several new species were seen this week including: Black-bellied Plover(1), Killdeer(2), Sanderling(1), and Pectoral Sandpiper(1). Common Loon(243) and Red-throated Loon(23) numbers have risen this week as we approach their peak season through the Straits! Come check out some Loons!
