Waterbird migration continues to get better during the first week of October. On Oct. 6, the season’s biggest day occurred, with a highlight being the major goose flight — 1,308 Canada Geese were counted, with the majority being counted in the last hour. A single Cackling Goose and two snow/ross’s geese were mixed in with the flocks of Canada Geese. A single Snow Goose observed after the count on Oct. 6 was the first of the fall. On Oct. 2, 253 Sandhill Cranes contributed to the new fall season’s high count for the species. This is likely due to an overall increase in the Sandhill Crane population. Dabblers are still being seen in strong numbers, with American Wigeon being the most numerous and with good flights of American Black Ducks, Mallards, Northern Pintails, and Green-winged Teals on many days. Aythya numbers are also increasing, with scaup being the most numerous. Redheads and a small number of Ring-necked Ducks have also been seen. Scoter numbers have been good the last several days, with 392 Surf Scoters and 102 White-winged Scoters being the highest totals of the season for each species. A single Harlequin Duck observed on Oct. 6 was the duck highlight in the past week. Shorebirds have been slow, with Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Sanderling, White-rumped Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Wilson’s Snipe being the only species recorded so far in October. Loons had a good showing on Oct. 6, with 158 Common Loons and 78 Red-throated Loons being counted.
Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Alec Olivier
~ Alec Olivier
2022 Fall Waterbird Counter
