Hey there everybody! My name is Rich Couse, and I will be your friendly neighborhood hawk counter at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory this spring. I’m back for my second spring hawk count for Michigan Audubon, and you can find me in the shack on the Hawk Deck way atop the sandy lakeshore dunes. I couldn’t be happier to be sharing my observations with you once again! For return readers and the curious among you, I have spent the last nine months in New England conducting bird research along the rocky coast of Maine, working on sustainability initiatives in the mountain valleys of New Hampshire, and visiting with family and friends out on the coastal plain of southeastern Massachusetts.
When I stood on the hawk deck at this time a year ago, the quarantine had just begun. It was an uncertain time where none of us knew how serious the pandemic would become, how much our daily life would change, what losses we would face, and none of us knew when things would return to normal. While those questions remain to one extent or another, I believe most of us have adjusted to the new normal, and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Those of you who read my blog last year know that, for me, the light was always there. I saw it shining on the wings of migrating birds every day, and I tried to bring a bit of that light to you in my posts every week. I took great inspiration in the fact that no matter what problems we faced, nature remained undauntingly resilient and showed us that life finds a way. Once again, dear reader, I will do my best to brighten your day and provide you with a window looking out from the hawk deck where wondrous things are sure to happen! Of course, there will be a healthy dose of gray skies, cold winds, snow, and rain, and I would be remiss if I didn’t share the whole experience with you!
So, without further ado… the hawk count officially started yesterday, March 15. However, I started my own private count during my personal migration along the highways from Massachusetts to Michigan. Red-tailed Hawks were seen in abundance, 18 in total, followed by six Turkey Vultures and a single Bald Eagle. Not a bad list for a guy keeping his eyes on the road, right? During the drive, which took me two days, I had a lot of time to think, and my mind would imagine hawks making a journey similar to mine. My feathered friends and I now share a common ordeal, the ordeal of long-distance travel! While they may not recognize this kinship we have, I will certainly be counting with a greater sense of empathy this season.
With two days now under my belt, the count is off to a good start. Day one brought me an immature Bald Eagle and four adult Golden Eagles, and day two, another immature Bald and five Goldens. Last year I had to wait a week for my first Golden, so I will make a bold prediction and say — it’s gonna be a good year for Golden Eagles! If I am correct, I will be the first to remind you that you heard it here first. If I am wrong, well, I will never speak of it again, and hopefully, you will forget I ever mentioned it!
With long-range forecasts predicting above-normal temperatures, I am looking forward to a splendid spring. Until next week, thank you for reading along; this is your friendly neighborhood hawk counter saying keep your eyes on the skies. Unless you’re driving (please don’t be like me), then keep your eyes on the road!
~ Rich Couse
2021 Spring Hawk Counter
Photo: Rich Couse
You can see live updates for the 2021 Spring Hawk Count on Dunkadoo, read Rich’s weekly blog post, and follow WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for hawk count highlights this season.
If you visit WPBO, please practice social distancing while doing so. Although not required, we encourage you to wear masks if you are in close proximity to other people, even if outdoors. If necessary, a capacity limit will be set for how many people can utilize the Hawk Deck simultaneously.
