2024 Fall Waterbird Count Week 11

As we head into the final week of the waterbird count for the fall season, things have really slowed down in the straits. In addition to fall migration nearing its end, the weather this past week saw many days of South winds, limiting waterbird movement. However, redheads (2059) are still numerous, and their massive rafts can be seen every day from Graham point. Long-tailed ducks (1945) are still moving around and are the most consistently seen duck this time of year. Common goldeneye (128) and horned grebe (30) have all been fairly common this week, even being more numerous than last week. The horned grebes in particular have been hanging out in good numbers near the shore at McGulpin point. We did notice less white-wing scoters (113) and common loons (19) this week compared to previous weeks. While red-necked grebes (10), and bufflehead (19) showed similar numbers to last week.
We saw three species of dabbling ducks, but with low numbers, as mallards (34), American black duck (1), and a wood duck (1) were all observed. Fewer numbers of diving ducks were seen this week as well with canvasback (1), greater scaup (1), lesser scaup (24), and black scoter (1). We did get all three mergansers with hooded merganser (3), common merganser (55), and red-breasted merganser (286) still moving through.
Sandhill cranes (27) were irregularly seen, as were Canada geese (2), mute swans (5), and tundra swans (1).
As we head deeper into November, and the final week of the waterbird count, we hope to see more waterbirds moving through.