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