Weekly Totals are in ().
The second half of October started off with a strong mixed dabbler movement consisting of American Wigeon(65), Northern Pintail(31), Northern Shoveler(5) and Wood Ducks(16) on 10/15. Small numbers of Gadwall(6) and American Black Duck(4) were also recorded moving by the count throughout the week. Hunting activities have increased around the Straits area, likely further displacing birds from nearby marshes, ponds and lakes past the waterbird count. Teal numbers however, have dropped considerably since September with only a handful of individual Green-winged Teal(3) and Blue-winged Teal(1) this week. The morning of 10/16 brought mixed rain and strong winds from the north as a cold front shifted through the Upper Peninsula. This weather encouraged waterfowl movement as birds attempted to get ahead of this front. The season’s first White-rumped Sandpiper and Rough-legged Hawk were observed that morning from Graham Point. To add to the excitement of the day, our third Short-eared Owl of the season flew over the point moving with these north winds!
On 10/17, morning temperatures started below 40 Fahrenheit as the cold front arrived. Mixed flocks of Redhead(4,426), Greater Scaup(279), and Lesser Scaup(232) started flying west over the Straits mid-morning after winds picked up and switched west. A noticeable shift in White-winged Scoters(548) supplemented this flight with over 500 individuals observed by the end of the week. A late pickup of Red-necked Grebes(66) has seen double digit numbers moving by the count for several days this week. Four Trumpeter Swan(4) were spotted heading south together on 10/19. This is the time of year when Tundra Swans start returning to the Great Lakes area, but so far no Tundra Swans have been recorded from the waterbird count.
Considerable flocks of Long-tailed Ducks(1,323) were a neat highlight to the count all week. Small numbers of Bufflehead(30) and Common Goldeneye(9) are now being spotted as they make their late season arrival to the Great Lakes region. Following the large movement of Scaup and Redhead this week, the season’s first Canvasback(3) were observed at the end of the week moving within a large flock of Redhead. Canvasback are far less frequent in the northern Great Lakes and a great addition to the fall count season!
Waterfowl weren’t the only birds getting ahead of the cold front. An uptick of Bonaparte’s Gulls(43) was seen this week, with flocks moving west past the count. Several Rough-legged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Northern Harriers were observed migrating directly south over the Mackinac Straits. Notable passerine sightings this week included a shift in finches, particularly Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. Few warblers remain being seen this late in the season, but an Orange-crowned Warbler was a highlight on 10/17. The waterbird count’s first White-winged Crossbills were heard flying along the McGulpin shoreline on 10/24! Winter finches are arriving. Notable Red Crossbill movements on the northern Great Lakes suggest these finches are close behind.
