After a stretch of slow mornings, Lake Michigan finally got a little attitude today. A steady northwest wind pushed through and reminded us that even a “quiet” week can end with a spark.
Waterfowl made up the bulk of the movement, with Greater White-fronted Geese leading the charge at 113 birds cruising south. Blue-winged Teal were still in the mix with 38 heading west, and a solid raft of scaup kept things interesting, with more than 150 combined between Greater, Lesser, and the undecided Aythya crowd just a little farther off shore. Pintails, Redheads, and dabblers rounded out what felt like a classic mid-October shuffle rather than a full migration push.
A first-winter Laughing Gull added a nice coastal touch, caught on camera with its sharp tail band and dark bill. A handful of Common Terns were still moving west, probably squeezing in their last Lake Michigan commute of the season.
But the real headline came at 9:35 AM when a Parasitic Jaeger carved west past the watch, flashing pale shafts and flexing that unmistakable pirate swagger. It’s been a good fall for jaegers, and this one fit the script perfectly.
Not a blockbuster day, but with the northwest flow returning, the next few watches could bring the lake back to life. Check out the full eBird list here for the day’s details. See the entire month’s eBird Trip Report Here.
Tags: fall waterbird survey
