This weekend’s longshore flight count at Indiana Dunes showed one of the clearest signs yet that spring migration is starting to turn the corner. Even with rain hanging over nearly the entire count period, the morning produced 71 species, which is a strong show of diversity for early April and a good reminder that new arrivals are beginning to mix in with the lingering early-season crowd
Are you ready for bird names, because here we go!
Some of that diversity came from the expected cast of waterbirds and blackbirds, with big numbers of Blue-winged Teal, Red-breasted Mergansers, Caspian Terns, Common Loons, and an eye-popping 8,240 Common Grackles moving through the area But the more interesting story was in the variety. Shorebirds like Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs were present, Tree Swallows were back strong this weekend, and one Eastern Phoebe added another classic sign that the season is shifting forward
The sparrow mix also helped underline that change. Chipping Sparrow and Field Sparrow were both on the list, joined by Fox, Song, Swamp, and Vesper Sparrows, along with Eastern Towhee and Eastern Meadowlark That kind of spread is what makes this point in the season fun. You are still getting holdovers and hardy early migrants, but each weekend adds a few more species that make you stop and think, alright, now we’re getting somewhere.
The warbler list was still modest, as you would expect for the date, but it carried an encouraging little spark. Thirteen Yellow-rumped Warblers were joined by an early Palm Warbler.
Other highlights included Osprey, Bald Eagle, Merlin, American Kestrel, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, and the usual robins heading to a neighborhood lawn near you.
So while the rain may have tried to soak the mood, the birds made the larger point. Diversity is building, fresh migrants are arriving, and the longshore is starting to feel more and more like spring. If this weekend is any indication, the next few counts after this current north wind we’re under should get even more interesting.
Check out Saturday’s full checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S317834599
