Over the past week, The Dunes area has experienced some turbulent up and down with the temperatures. that brought a mix of severe weather conditions, including heavy snow, strong winds, and fluctuating temperatures. We literally had teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60 degrees logged this week. Such is March!
These conditions can influence bird migration patterns, as adverse weather may cause birds to delay their journeys or seek temporary refuge in safer areas. Finding food can be a sudden urgency if a late snow storm arrives as climate change pushes birds further north earlier and earlier each year. Yet, despite this, birds continue to arrive earlier and earlier with climate change. Only 15 years ago, finding an American Woodcock in February would have been a record feat. Today, we annually find our first ones before the old record early date of March 5. As you can guess, famous Woodcock Dan once again found a peenty male this past week on March 3.
If you were to come up with a theme for this first week, it would be, “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Or probably better, “Goose, Duck, Goose.” Geese, of a few varieties made up nearly 40% of the birds that passed by this first week. Other waterfowl, including nearly 400 cranes followed in second place. Typical early March migrants did show some early signs of movement, including a few Bald Eagles, Horned Lark, and the first trickle from the Red-winged Blackbird hydrant started. In sum, 4,381 birds were recorded this first week of longshore counting.
You can follow along with the monthly trip report, with breakdowns by day. The March Trip Report is live now.
As you’re probably aware, we’re still being forced to operate without a federally signed contract for this year’s Lake Michigan Research Programs. We’re now scrambling to keep these critical programs afloat. View Indiana Audubon’s statement to learn more and how you can help.
