Well, folks, it finally happened. Sharp-shinned Hawks dominated the skies, with nearly 3,000 birds zipping past the hawk deck this past weekend. Days like these are what hawk counters live for, and as each hawk passes, it takes with it a bit of the memory of hours upon hours of staring at the empty sky. When I look through my binoculars and see a wall of sharpies stringed out across the horizon and fading into specks in the distance — all headed straight towards me — I have to steel myself, my pulse quickening in anticipation of the chaotic counting about to descend upon me. It is a moment of sheer joy when raptors are swirling all around you. Riding the wind along with the sharpies came nearly 150 American Kestrels (my best count ever!), Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, and Bald Eagles. It’s hard not to get swept up in it all, not to feel like I am not part of the flock. The day becomes a celebration, and with the wonderful company of spectators and birders, a celebration is exactly what it felt like.
A late-day influx of nearly 400 Broad-winged Hawks streaming in from the north as they rounded the Point capped off Saturday afternoon. Later on in the evening, a trip into town 10 miles to the south, a group of 80 Broad-winged Hawks kettled over Paradise, with another kettle further to the south. This is just the beginning of broad-winged migration, so I am looking forward to some good kettle-counting days ahead. Still, for me, nothing compares to a good flight of sharpies (except maybe the Blue Jay days that are soon to come — oh my, I can’t wait to tell you about those), and it leaves me wanting more!
~ Rich Couse
2021 Spring Hawk Counter
Photo: Sharp-shinned Hawk by 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.
Celebrating Spring Migration at Whitefish Point — A Webinar Series
Raptor Identification and Field Marks
May 13 | 7 p.m.
Are you one of the many people who find raptor identification to be tricky? Join us for a presentation by Hawk Counter Rich Couse as he covers the basics of raptor ID. Rich will share his tips and tricks that he utilizes as the hawk counter at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory (where he is currently serving his second season at the WPBO Hawk Deck) and other hawk watching sites across the country. From field marks to flight style, Rich will cover the tools you need to distinguish between Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagles, and more.
This event is the second in a four-part series of free webinars celebrating spring migration at the Point and highlighting WPBO research programs.
