Spring Raptor Count Blog 5/12-18–Caracara Round 2!

It has been a busy week at Whitefish Point! Mid May is a very exciting time of year, as raptor flights can boil up into large kettles, passerine flights are large and diverse, and the chances for rare birds increases. We’ll start with the raptors. “Peregrine Week” lived up to its name, with 19 counted over 7 days. Almost all of the Peregrines counted this week have still been adults, meaning there is probably still a good number of juvenile birds still on their way. Other falcons were present in smaller numbers, but there has been a slight bump in the number of Merlins seen. A few small Broad-winged Hawk and Bald Eagle flights rounded out the majority of the raptor numbers this week.

Adult Peregrine Falcon, photo by Sean McLaughlin

The cat might already be out of the bag, but there was another sighting of a Crested Caracara on May 16! This individual made a few passes before eventually setting down in a Jack Pine to the west of the Hawk Deck. It remained there for over an hour, allowing for extended views from dozens of visitors! It was particularly exciting to watch peoples eyes widen when they approached the top of the stairs and were beckoned by calls of “Do you want to see a Caracara?” What is even more exciting is that this is likely a second individual, identified by differing feather wear and the amount of white in the wings.

Adult Crested Caracara, photo by Sean McLaughlin

Non-raptor flights from the deck have really improved, with the arrival of early Neotropical migrants. 10+ warbler species, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks and orioles have all made their way back to the point, heralding late May. Some unusual visitors this week include Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Red-headed Woodpecker and Wilson’s Phalarope. Just two weeks remain, hope to see you at the Point soon!