There have been no Caracara sightings since last week, making for a much less exciting blog post this week. Spring marches ever on, but with a slightly different tone than before. Now, warbler song has begun to pepper in between bursts of Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Blue Jay flocks provide a dazzling backdrop against sunny skies. May is here!

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk. Photo by Sean McLaughlin

Hawk flights were reduced in volume, with the best day on May 9th, with just under 200 Sharpies and 145 Broad-winged Hawks. It seems that, as of now, the epic skyscraper kettles of Broad-winged Hawks have not made their way to the Point. There is still time, but barring a major change, this season is shaping up to be a low year for the Neotropical raptor. Peregrine’s, on the other hand are heating up. The second week of May is lovingly dubbed “Peregrine Week” at Whitefish Point, and these graceful falcons are remarkably punctual. 14 have been counted this week, peaking with 5 on 5/11.

Adult Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Sean McLaughlin

In the non-raptor world, new migrants are trickling in, and one day created excellent conditions for morning flight of warblers and other songbirds. On May 9th, 13 warbler species were observed in active migration, a lively splash of color against the last few patches of snow (yes there is still snow!). Another exciting visitor amidst the hordes of Black-capped Chickadees that have invaded the Point was a Boreal Chickadee, the first since 2024! Just 3 weeks remain of the Hawk Count, and there are definitely still birds to come. Hope to see you at the Point soon!

Sean McLaughlin, 2026 Raptor Counter

Featured Photo: Adult Broad-winged Hawk by S. McLaughlin

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 2026 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 who has enjoyed watching birds migrate for over 15 years. A lifelong birder and naturalist, Sean has counted raptors at Stone Mountain and Tussey Mountain hawk watches in PA, before moving to the shore of Lake Superior. He has led the count team for four seasons at Hawk Ridge and three at the West Skyline Hawk Count in Duluth, Minnesota, instilling a deep love for the Great Lakes. In Duluth, Sean also conducts morning flight counts of passerines and other migrants. Outside of the world of watching migration, Sean has studied American Goshawks in the mountains of Oregon, breeding birds in northern Minnesota, and instructed courses at Hog Island Audubon Camp. He is excited to return to eastern Lake Superior for a second spring at Whitefish Point, particularly for the epic Sharp-shinned Hawk and Common Loon flights.