The final week of the fall waterbird count! Migration continued to slowly but steadily taper off throughout the week. It was fairly slow number-wise with no large flights, but quite interesting nonetheless with light pushes of late-season species and a few unique rarities in town.
A rainbow appeared over the Point on Nov. 9 after a few hours of rain and snow showers. Photo by Mike McBrien
Overall, it was a slow week. Most days, we struggled to hit triple digits for the daily overall total for the count — which has been relatively easy to accomplish over the past few weeks. However, a few vagrants brought some excitement. On Nov. 10, there was very little waterbird movement and calm conditions. While scoping the lake, I managed to pick out a rare Western Grebe floating just off the beach on the bay side of the Point among the many Red-necked Grebes in the area. Over an hour and a half, it floated out into the bay and to the south until it disappeared over the horizon. Later that day, a juvenile Little Gull flew by! In addition, the first Townsend’s Solitaire of the season was found later that afternoon, just after the count.
A Townsend’s Solitaire showed up recently at the Whitefish Harbor and stuck around for a few days for visiting birders to see. Photo by Mike McBrien
The following day was similar, with very calm and pleasant conditions. A Red Phalarope (the first of the count this season) was the highlight of the day. It flew into the rips off the Point and fed for a few hours, delighting several visiting birders.
A ripping north breeze on Nov. 13 was accompanied by a few ducks migrating. Many passerines were seen coming in off the lake, including a Hoary Redpoll photographed well by some visiting birders.
The final day showcased champagne conditions. It was fairly calm but, thankfully, much warmer than most days over the past two weeks. It was also one of the busiest days in the past 10 days, with a nice late-season scoter and scaup flight for the day. And the final bird of the fall count was a Common Loon that passed just after 3 p.m.!
Overall, it was a fantastic season at Whitefish Point that snuck by all too fast. It was an incredible opportunity to meet birders from around Michigan and other visitors to the Point from further afield. The chance to share Whitefish Point’s birds and miraculous migration spectacle with so many people was a pleasure! Stay tuned for the season write-up and final remarks — be sure to check out the upcoming issue of the Jack Pine Warbler for the article.
~ Mike McBrien
2023 Fall Waterbird Counter
Featured photo: Two Red-breasted Mergansers passing directly over the Point on their way south. Photo by Mike McBrien
Sunrise on one of the final days of the Waterbird Count. Photo by Mike McBrien
