March is rarely subtle at Indiana Dunes, and 2026 was no exception. It seems each year March is a month of boom or bust. Amazing, great conditions one day, only to flip to snow and north winds the next day. Despite the whiplash, we did run 15 offical counts, amassing 113 species, which is more than we tallied last year in March.
By the Numbers
14 days counted, 108 species (1 more than previous two years). We had an impressive 117,046 total individuals, which was 30% more than last year in March.
The Big Movements
The blackbirds led the charge, as they often do. Common Grackle hit 42,845 for the month. Red-winged Blackbird reached 29,563. If you were anywhere near the lakeshore on a peak movement day, you heard them going overhead.
Sandhill Cranes were pretty good too. We counted 22,338 during March. They have see-sawed with the weather. Last year we only recorded 8,000 in March, but 2024 was the amazing 50,000+ crane March.
Northern Flickers surprised with 1,154, which is a good reminder that Longshore counts more than just the obvious stuff. Many can more in April, so we’ll see how many more come, and bring their sapsucker friends along for the rollercoaster ride.
Raptors were sub-par overall. Some logged eagles, Merlin, and others, but no major hawk flight conditions thus far.
Looking Ahead
April will raise the stakes. Shorebirds and swallows begin to move in earnest. The first steady waves of warblers and thrushes arrive. Raptors keep coming. Given how strong the late-March flights were, high daily totals of 20,000+ birds are a reasonable expectation on the right wind days in the coming weeks.
Don’t sleep on the gulls either. Lake Michigan still has a few surprises left to offer.
Tags: longshore flight survey
