Events
Raptor Naturalist Programs
Golden Eagle Weekend: March 15 and 16th, 2025
Saturday and Sunday from ~ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Mackinaw City spring count location – Corner of S. Askins and Pond St., off W. Central Ave., Behind the Mackinaw City Recreation Center. * Google map can be found on MSRW’s Count Sites page
Description: Did you know that the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch holds the nationwide record for the largest seasonal count of Golden Eagles seen east of the Mississippi, as they migrated through the Straits of Mackinac (381 in 2024)? Come join us on this specialty weekend as we focus on this majestic bird, as it heads north to the breeding grounds. There will be individuals on site who are knowledgeable about how to view these birds and others as they head north.
We will have valuable information about where these birds migrate to and from, adaptations they have for these long flights and how to identify them in the air and perching.
Bring your binoculars, as this the best way to observe them as they head across the Straits! We will have observers with spotting scopes and a few sets of binoculars available for loan.
Red-tailed Hawk Weekend: April 12 and 13th, 2025
Saturday and Sunday from ~ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Mackinaw City spring count location – Corner of S. Askins and Pond St., off W. Central Ave., Behind the Mackinaw City Recreation Center. * Google map can be found on MSRW’s Count Sites page
Description: Did you know that the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch holds the nationwide record for the largest seasonal count of Red-tailed Hawks seen in the spring, as they migrated through the Straits of Mackinac (22,420 in 2019)? Come join us on this specialty weekend for a day of viewing and learning about the most current migrant to come through the Straits this season, the Red-tailed Hawk. There will be individuals on site who are knowledgeable about how to view these birds and others as they head north.
We will have valuable information about where these birds migrate to and from, adaptations they have for these long flights and how to identify them in the air and perching. Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch’s information about our seasonal research related to the Red-tailed Hawk will also be shown.
Bring your binoculars, as this the best way to observe them as they head across the Straits! We will have observers with spotting scopes and a few sets of binoculars available for loan.
Broad-winged Bonanza Weekend: April 26 and 27th, 2025
Saturday and Sunday from ~ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Mackinaw City spring count location – Corner of S. Askins and Pond St., off W. Central Ave., Behind the Mackinaw City Recreation Center. * Google map can be found on MSRW’s Count Sites page
Description: This weekend is when the beautiful Broad-winged hawks are filling the skies as they travel north for the summer! These hawks, like most others, migrate together in flocks and can be seen in large groups called kettles. Join the Raptor Naturalist and other observers for a day of viewing and learning about our most current migrant that is making its journey north, the Broad-winged hawk! There will be individuals on site who are knowledgeable about how to view these birds and others as they head north.
We will have valuable information about where these birds migrate to and from, adaptations they have for these long flights and how to identify them in the air and perching.
Bring your binoculars, as this the best way to observe them as they head across the Straits! We will have observers with spotting scopes and a few sets of binoculars available for loan.
Join Us for Other Weekly Spring Programs On-site**:
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from ~ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
March 8th — June 1st
Location: View our count sites page for directions to our Spring hawk count sites. Check out our MSRW Facebook page for updated details since it may change during the season or weekend.
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Hawk Watching 101: Engage in the tips and tricks for better viewing of raptors in flight.
Raptors in Flight: Explore those raptors on-site that day or throughout the season.
Fascinating Research at MSRW: Learn about MSRW’s conservation research work and the new techniques used to track bird migration; learn about their movements and how this work fits into the bigger picture of raptor knowledge.
Raptor Adaptations: What allows these birds to travel, capture prey, and have successful nesting and breeding places.
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Other Opportunities On-site:
**Live Birds Up-Close (Bird dependent – Spring season only): On the days we are banding raptors nearby, you may have the opportunity to see a live bird up close!
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Group Visits: If you have a group who would like to schedule a visit for a unique program, contact Sarah Reding, MSRW Raptor Naturalist.
Note: Binoculars are available on-site to share and can aid in your on-site viewing.
Owl banding "public night"
Our first night filled up already! 2nd night available!
Owl Banding "Public Night": April 26th, 2025
Saturday night (April 26th) from ~ 7:00 pm – 10:00/11:00 pm
- Sunday night (April 27th) will be the backup date , in case there’s bad weather on Saturday night
- The banders work all night, but visitors rarely stay past 10 or 11pm
Location: Cheboygan State Park
Description:
We band owls at night during the spring (March – June) and fall (September – November) migrations. The main species that we are researching is Northern Saw-Whet owls (NSWO)* that are migrating through the Straits area. They are captured in mist nets, research measurements are taken, and then they are banded and released. Later re-captures, in either the Straits area or other locations around the country, provide clues as to the seasonality and directionality of the Saw-Whet migrations.
Owl banding is a night-time activity – the banders work all night – as most owls are only active at night. Owl banding is also weather dependent, of course. We don’t band owls on nights with too much wind (too dangerous for the owls), or rainy nights (they normally don’t want to move around when it’s raining).
This is a fun family/group event that is quite educational, because the owl banders we hire are generally very good educators, and our visitors tend to learn a lot from them. And assuming we’re catching owls that night – you’ll get to see them up close and learn how we gather measurement data and band them!
* Other species are sometimes “accidentally” captured in the mist nets, but we measure them, document their details, and band them as well. Some other species we have captured are Barred Owls (BDOW), Long-eared Owls (LEOW), thrushes, and woodcocks. We’ve also assumed that we have caught some flying squirrels, but they just chewed their way out of the nets!
Bring with you: We’ll have a campfire, so you’ll need some camp chairs, a flashlight or headlight, cameras, and any snacks you might want to bring. Please dress appropriately for the weather, both for temperature (it’s always colder on the lake), and for snow depth.
Sign up: email our Executive Director, Scott Davis, to reserve a spot for the night and get the logistical details. Limit 15 visitors – first come, first served
Raptors Revealed – 2021 Speaker Series Videos
