Week 4 has been a warmer stretch, but excellent numbers of raptors have been migrating. The overall total of birds counted this week stands at 1,123. Sharp-shinned Hawks have been most numerous, but the number of Broad-wings migrating is also on the rise. 31% of the count consisted of Sharpies in week 4, followed by 22% Broad-winged Hawks and 17% Turkey Vultures.
The week started out on 9/8 with a trickle of raptors in pleasantly moderate weather. The first American Pipits of the 2024 fall migration also appeared. September 9 was stronger, at 153 total raptors compared to 91 on 9/8. The birds were most active on 9/9 when the cloud cover cleared in the late morning, before the movement fell off again. The Pipits made another appearance, continuing to move through the count area.
September 10 was warm and humid, with haze present over the Staits of Mackinac. The migration lightened at only 78 raptors overall, mostly Sharp-shinned Hawks and Turkey Vultures. Thirteen American Kestrels were counted, with several being active around the count site, catching and eating dragonflies. With some rain and overcast conditions on 9/11, the migration slowed significantly to only 12 individuals counted all day. The most eventful it got was a couple Lesser Black-backed Gulls moving through.
Migration picked right back up for the last three days of the week, with more birds appearing each day. Warm and humid conditions prevailed, with some fog and haze on 9/13. On 9/12, 173 birds were sighted migrating over the Straits, starting off slow but building to a steady flight when winds picked up in the afternoon. Season highs were recorded for Sharp-shinned Hawks (96) and American Kestrels (17). However the Kestrel number was quickly crushed the next day with 27 counted on 9/13. The total rose to 277 on 9/13, with nice kettles forming and reforming throughout the day. Broad-wings and Red-tails had their best day yet, but not for long as both birds saw higher numbers on the final day of the week.
339 raptors total is the highest daily number of birds yet on 9/14, though it won’t be for long as the migration continues to grow. Broad-winged hawks were the most numerous birds at 106 total, followed by Sharpies at 87.
The migration is only growing now, and we look forward to seeing what comes over the Straits as we enter our second month of the 2024 Mackinac Straits Fall Raptor Watch. Make sure to come visit us and enjoy the quickly changing array of autumn colors!
