It’s Easter Monday, and as I stand here on the hawk deck at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory — in below-freezing temperatures, with frigid north winds whipping off of Lake Superior, and snow (yes SNOW) falling from the sky — I have to ask myself, “Has the time moved at all?” There may be less snow on the ground as I begin my fifth week of the raptor count, but today feels pretty much the same as every other blustery, freezing winter day that has occurred here since the first day of spring. Am I complaining? Um, well, heck yeah, I’m complaining!!!
The birds seem to agree with me as I huddle in the protective confines of the shack staring into the bleak, gray, unforgiving sky. With the exception of an undaunted American Crow, I get the distinct impression that all my other feathered friends are huddled in their own protective hovels, holding out for better weather. “Helloooo Piglet?!!!” I crazily yell out at the top of my lungs into the face of the wind feeling like Winnie the Pooh in the story of the Blustery Day. No answer comes. About what I expected, and I would be worried if I did hear Piglet calling back to me. It would confirm that I have actually gone crazy!
Days like today have been the norm for the past week. Cold, wind, and rain brought migration pretty much to a standstill. Much like the rest of the world, the raptors were keeping their distance. At least that was not so this past Saturday; it was absolutely magnificent. The sun was out, and the star attractions of the day were Sharp-shinned Hawks riding a sweet south breeze. While Turkey Vultures kettled and Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Rough-legged Hawks made appearances, a couple of Northern Goshawks highlighted the afternoon and made the entire week seem worthwhile.
The forecast does not look good for the next few days. A snowstorm is hitting the Upper Peninsula as I write, but I will keep the fire burning until the next sunny day makes it all worthwhile again. I’ll just continue to stand here and wait for Piglet and Tigger to make an appearance to let me know life is a wonderful thing.
Author: Rich Couse, Hawk Counter
Photo: Rich Couse
If you are considering visiting the Point, please read this important message from Michigan Audubon and WPBO Field Staff.
Maneuvering the ever-changing implications of COVID-19 has necessitated constant adaptation and evaluation for us all. Michigan Audubon and WPBO have been proactive in taking measures that protect our staff, our physical community in Paradise, and the Michigan birding community, and we have found American Birding Association’s recent guidelines on birding and social distancing a useful resource for guiding bird-related travel decisions. While there are hopeful signs that we are rounding the corner with this virus, Michigan Audubon does not want to sow precocious optimism that encourages long-distance travel. Please take a minute to read these ABA guidelines, and to imagine them through the lens of the eastern Upper Peninsula, which does not have the medical resources of Michigan’s more-developed areas. Chippewa County and its adjacent counties have just three hospitals, and only one of these has more than 100 beds; they all are at least an hour’s drive from the Point. WPBO appreciates and requests your continued conscientiousness as the season’s migration begins to ramp up, and does not condone birding travel that is not local. Keep in mind that the Owl’s Roost Gift Shop and public observation of owl banding are currently closed. In the meantime, we will virtually share the Point with you as best we can until it is safe for all parties to enjoy it together. We hope that will be soon.
