2024 Fall Waterbird Count Week 6

We are officially halfway through the season; migration is in full swing, and we have had quite the exciting week. Between good weather on several days and the season progressing, we have seen an increase in many species coming through the straits. Our most numerous migrant this week was Canada goose (2343) who has been moving through in good numbers almost every day. We also noticed a lot of Sandhill cranes (858), and season high counts of redheads (632), and common loons (288). Both lesser (312) and greater (54) scaup are on the move this week as well. Within one of the many scaup flocks a single ring-necked duck was spotted, a first for the count this season. On top of this we also had plenty Aythya sp. (116) moving through.
Buffleheads (10), white-winged scoters (37), red-throated loons (10), and American black ducks (24) have been slowly yet surely migrating through. Along with some species that we noticed less of this week. Horned grebe (10), red-necked grebe (15), common goldeneye (2), gadwall (1), and American wigeon (8), were seen this week but with lower numbers than previous weeks. As October is just around the corner, many more species will start showing up.
Beside our migrating waterbirds we have noticed lots of passerines migrating as well. White-crowned sparrow, white-throated sparrow, common grackle, blue jays, and American pipits have been seen in high numbers this week.