The Brock Fall Waterbird Count is now in it’s second week, and the winds have finally turned in our favor. After a sluggish start last week, a stretch of north winds helped push migration into gear, and the shoreline has been busy with both birds and birders. In the past several days alone we’ve logged nearly 70 species, and the lakefront has delivered some of the season’s first real rarities.
Shorebirds remain the main players. Baird’s Sandpipers have been a consistent feature of the counts, popping up daily in small numbers and reminding us that peak shorebird season is underway. On August 22, a Whimbrel made a high, calling pass to the west, and just four days later another juvenile Whimbrel stole the show. This bird came in from behind the counter, sailed low over the concession stand, and touched down on Lake Street Beach near the U.S. Steel breakwall.
Perhaps the most exciting development came with the arrival of our first jaegers of the fall. On August 26, a juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger came straight in from the northeast, offering excellent scope views before heading west over the lake. Not long after, a Parasitic Jaeger made repeated passes through the gull flocks, flashing its long central tail feathers and harassing Ring-billed Gulls every chance it got. It was a classic Brock moment, the kind of encounter that keeps counters scanning even on slower days.
While not a big movement, raptors are also joining the action, including Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and a few early kestrels this week. For those wanting to dive deeper, you can explore the full August eBird Trip Report which includes all sightings, daily checklists, and photos from the count.
Looking ahead, the forecast continues to favor north winds in the coming days, which means more migrants on the move. With shorebirds still streaming through and jaeger season now officially open, the late August–early September window should be prime time along the lakefront.
Tags: fall waterbird survey jaegers whimbrel
