This week was eventful, in both good ways and bad. Unfortunately, the unprecedented ice storms caused lengthy bridge closures this week. This prevented most counts from being conducted at Graham Point.
On March 28th, a strong East wind before the storms made for a productive count from Graham Point. A modest flight of Long-tailed Ducks (732) and the first scoters of the season, including White-winged Scoter (4) and Surf Scoter (2). The first Common Loons (3) and a Red-throated Loon (1) also made an appearance. The real spectacle came in the early afternoon. Between 1:20-2:45pm, seven separate flocks of Tundra Swans were spotted heading North across the Straits. The total for the day was an impressive 342 individuals. I would have considered myself lucky to have gotten a single flock of Tundra Swans for the season. Watching these tightly knit formations of swans appear as white lines in the distance and pass directly overhead was surreal! Even more surprising is that no geese or other waterfowl were moving by this point in the afternoon.
Other notable sightings from the week include the first Hooded Mergansers (2) and Red-necked Grebes (9) of the season. An adult Great Black-backed Gull was spotted from Graham Point on April 2nd. The local Peregrine Falcons have returned to their usual nesting location on the north anchor block of the Mackinac Bridge. Keep an eye out for them hunting from the bridge when driving across.
