Saturday, November 8, 2014

Fall Waterbird Highlights


In order to gain a better understanding of the diversity, timing, and magnitude of the waterbird migration over Lake Michigan, I have been conducting fixed-position watches from Muskegon County beaches for the past five years. So far this fall, beginning September 7, I have conducted 21 such surveys.

When the phenology and weather are favorable, the numbers of passing birds can be most impressive. Such was the case yesterday (November 6), when I tallied 387 southbound Common Loons at Hoffmaster State Park. The flight, which continued for at least three hours, was so strong that I counted as many as 27 loons during a single minute. The total easily established a new daily record for the lake watch.

Other highlights this season include:

267 Gadwall on October 25
31 Black Scoters on October 24
120 Bufflehead on November 6
1,167 Double-crested Cormorants on September 28
135 Bonaparte's Gulls on October 16
1 jaeger on October 17
first Great Black-backed Gull on October 19

- Brian Johnson

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