This past weekend, raptors seemingly forfeited the migratory flyaways in response to high Blue Jay traffic. Fred, a Broad-winged Hawk, who has been traveling this route for many years, had this to say: “What in tarnation!?! You know, I’ve been traveling this route for many years, and I have plum had it with the jays these days and their cockamamie racket! Is it too much to ask for a nice, quiet kettle to ride in with a few good buddies? I don’t think it is, but these Blue Jays keep swirling around, causing a commotion, ruining the whole mood of my lazy Sunday!”
This reporter tried to get a Blue Jay for comment but could only get this quick quote from one as 750 flew by, “Can’t talk now; I got the need for speed! Yahoooooooo!!!”
We will keep you updated as migration unfolds but, as it stands, over a thousand Blue Jays are jamming the airwaves at Whitefish Point. In protest, the raptors, who in the meantime have newly founded the Flyaway Action Response Team or “F.A.R.T.” for short, have stopped migrating until further notice despite favorable south winds.
Aw jeez, five straight days of sunshine have really fried your friendly, neighborhood hawk counter’s brain! However, with all the sun and south winds, I would have expected great numbers of migrating raptors, and while the Blue Jays arrived on schedule, raptors just never materialized. Save for a good showing of young Bald Eagles, Broad-winged Hawk numbers remain low. I will be interested to see what the next week brings. Stay tuned! Our news team will be keeping track of the latest developments here at WPBO!
~ Rich Couse
2021 Spring Hawk Counter
Photo 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.
