As in past years, I have been
monitoring the migration over Lake Michigan from various shoreline
vantages in Muskegon County. Not surprisingly, the persistence of chilly temperatures delayed strong movements of most aquatic and
terrestrial birds.
Localized flights of Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, and Red-breasted Mergansers comprised the bulk of winter totals, but during the last week of March, numbers of other waterfowl finally surged, and by mid-April diversity has reached a maximum. Other waterbirds and raptors are quickly becoming more numerous, and in the last two days, morning flights of passerines over the dunes have grown significant.
Localized flights of Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, and Red-breasted Mergansers comprised the bulk of winter totals, but during the last week of March, numbers of other waterfowl finally surged, and by mid-April diversity has reached a maximum. Other waterbirds and raptors are quickly becoming more numerous, and in the last two days, morning flights of passerines over the dunes have grown significant.
Nearly 200 Common Loons have passed so
far this month, but the best flight occurred on April 7, when I
tallied 92 in 2.5 hours. This total surpasses my previous high count
of 87 from November 10, 2009.
My peak for Tundra Swans this spring
was 102 on April 5. Unlike most other species, these fly northwest
over Lake Michigan, so they can be quite high after crossing the dunes. Glaucous Gulls have passed regularly this year, 26
Caspian Terns on April 15 was a nice total, and my first Forster's Tern appeared on April 12.
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson
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