Today marks the official start of the third annual Kenneth J. Brock Fall Waterbird Survey. The August 15 launch comes with less-than-perfect conditions, but the season is a marathon, not a sprint. Weather is about to take a turn, and the cold front moving in next week should kick migration into gear as those north winds crank up.
This multi-species fall migration count is rooted in the work of Dr. Ken Brock, who decades ago pioneered lakefront waterbird monitoring with a special focus on tracking jaegers. The modern count builds on his foundation, expanding the scope to monitor a range of species moving along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline.
Last year’s season saw an impressive showing. Counters documented thousands of migrating ducks, loons, and grebes, along with numerous jaeger sightings that had even seasoned birders buzzing. Standouts included multiple Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, strong Red-throated Loon flights, and a healthy push of scoters.
If you want to experience the count in person, keep an eye on the weather. North winds are your best friend for lakefront migration, and those are the days worth bundling up and heading out. You’ll often find one of our contracted counters on site, logging every bird that passes by. You can check for recent checklists in our eBird Trip Report for August Here.
Experienced birders who are interested in lending a hand for a day can reach out to Brad Bumgardner at [email protected] to learn more about the count protocol and requirements. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills and be part of a migration tradition.
Tags: fall waterbird survey
