Osprey by Sean McLaughlin

In the penultimate week of hawkwatching at Whitefish Point this spring, we have finally begun to see migration slip back into low gear. Seasonal totals are nearing their zenith, but daily totals are dropping by the day. It is sad to see the final days of migration arrive, but these are usually pleasant days of spring weather, making each day enjoyable.

The week was once again championed by Sharp-shinned Hawks, or as I have been calling them, our bread-and-butter bird. Reliable and right on time, Sharp-shinned Hawks are nearly always in view and providing great looks to our many visitors. Bald Eagles continue a spectacular May flight, sending us into the record books! The seasonal total of 955 is a new high, with only more to come in the final days.

Rough-legged Hawk by Sean McLaughlin

Osprey have decreased from a daily sight to every few days, along with Rough-legged Hawks and the 3 falcon species. Days with lower intensity flights allow me more time to watch individuals navigate the point, as well as photograph them! The dunes are beginning to green up, and on sunny days provide a nice underlighting to low raptors. The highlight of the 26th was the arrival of 100+ Broad-winged Hawks. The last week of May (and the first week of June) is the best time for young Broad-winged Hawks to be seen migrating past the point.

The other exciting record that we are approaching is the all time Peregrine Falcon seasonal high count. As of the 26th, the 73 Peregrine is just 3 shy of the record! Keep an eye out for second-year Peregrines migrating north along the shores of Lake Superior in the next few days.

Thanks to all who have stopped by the count to offer support, cookies, spotting skills and words of encouragement. If you are still hoping to make it out, the final day of the Spring Hawk Count is May 31. Hope to see you at the point!

You can now see the raptor count data on Trektellen! Check it out at trektellen.nl/count/view/4562.

You can keep up with the 2025 Raptor Count by reading Sean’s weekly blog posts and following WPBO’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X). The raptor count runs March 15 through May 31.

Sean is a hawk watcher from Pennsylvania, and his passion for raptors began at an early age while visiting nearby count sites. He cut his teeth on the Appalachian Ridges of Stone Mountain and Tussey Mountain before heading to the North Shore of Lake Superior. Since 2022, Sean has conducted spring and fall raptor counts at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, Minnesota. He is particularly excited to explore the other end of Lake Superior and a different array of spring migrants at Whitefish Point. Sean loves to watch visible migration of birds and has grown particularly interested in morning flight counts of migrating non-raptors. When not watching birds migrate, Sean enjoys fly fishing, gravel biking, and thinking about migration.