Week 8 has ended as a somewhat slower migration at the Straits. From 10/6 to 10/12 Calvin counted 2,230 raptors, an overall total of 10,013 raptors for the first 2 months of the 2024 Fall Raptor Watch. Turkey Vultures continue to be the most numerous species, followed by Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks at 62%, 16%, and 14% of the count respectively. And despite week 8 having low migration numbers, there were several extremely interesting sightings throughout the week.
The first day of the week, 10/6, was a hazy, smoky day with strong winds giving visitors a good view of low flying, although fast birds. The Sharpie numbers were the best of the season so far, at 265 flying over the straights. The Monarchs also became more active as the haze dissipated.
The following day of 10/7 started out mundane, largely made up of Turkey Vultures. However strong winds from the WSW in the afternoon allowed good kettles to form. What was not mundane however, was the rare sighting of a Sabine’s Gull over the count site! Sabine’s Gulls breed in the far north of Alaska and Canada in arctic tundra and arctic marshes, and ordinarily migrate south along the Pacific and Atlantic coast, so this was a rare treat indeed!
October 8 experienced similar migration numbers to 10/7, and similarly large numbers of Turkey Vultures, mostly high flying with the exception of the season’s first American Goshawk. The Goshawk gave quite the show, flying low, and passed over the count area several times. Again,10/9 had similar conditions and numbers. A first year Golden Eagle was observed, along with a Red-tail carrying what appeared to be one of the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch’s transmitters.
October 10 saw raptor numbers rise from the mid-300s the past couple days to 485, a season high total. It was also the best day for Red-tails thus far, with a total of 153 observed, including four dark-morph Red-tailed Hawks. Turkey Vultures continue to dominate in terms of numbers, at 281 for the day, but did not quite break their season record of 287 birds.
October 11 turned out to be quite slow with only 75 raptors counted. However, the first Rough-legged Hawk of the season turned out, marking the last of the usual species to be observed migrating over the Straits. Finally, the last of the week, 10/12, ended with 219 raptors.
Overall, despite less birds moving overall, week 8 saw a host of exciting highlights. We hope to continue to see interesting events throughout the rest of the migration, and that you, our followers, continue to visit and support us.
