Well I had written a lengthy blog post about the sightings from the last week and of course, a computer error made it disappear on me so I apologize for the truncated report tonight.

North winds have stymied migration, but birds continue to trickle through. Common Loons have started to make modest pushes with over 50 birds recorded twice this week. Up to 11 Red-throated Loons and 20 Long-tailed Ducks were seen on the 24th. Glaucous, Iceland and 4 Great Black-backed Gulls were seen on the 24th.

Osprey by Skye Haas

Osprey by Skye Haas

Decent hawk flights include 112 Broad-winged Hawks & 18 Rough-legged Hawks on the 28th, 24 Osprey on the 26th and 6 Golden Eagles on the 23rd.

Long-eared Owls are pushing through in good numbers with 23 banded on the 28th. Long-ears have been seen from the hawk deck at dusk most evenings.

Passerines have been slow, many April migrants like Hermit Thrush, Winter Wrens, Sapsuckers have not yet show up in full force and away from Whitefish Point the woods are still very quiet. Yellow-rumped Warblers made a modest influx on the 28th and at the Whitefish Point feeders, good numbers of White-throated Sparrows have shown up with smaller numbers of American Tree, Song, Dark-eyed Junco, Fox, Chipping and Savannah. Blackbird flocks continue to be seen, including decent numbers of Rusty Blackbirds.

Rusty Blackbird by Skye Haas

Rusty Blackbird by Skye Haas

Both Spruce and Sharp-tailed Grouse have been seen along Vermilion Road 6 miles south of Whitefish Point on multiple days this week. Red Crossbill has also been regular at this site. A pair of Trumpeter Swans and Rusty Blackbirds were at the Shelldrake Flooding off of Vermilion Road on the 28th. Both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans have been at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River this week. A good selection of dabbling ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup, Bufflehead and Goldeneye are also present.