2010 Results
A juvenile Broad-winged Hawk
The first year of the Keweenaw Raptor Survey was conducted from 15 March – 15 June 2010. The majority of the survey was conducted at the West Bluff Overlook, located at 47o 27’ 50.38” N, 87o 58’ 09.82” W, elevation 1313 ft a.s.l. However, the first two days were conducted from a lookout east of West Bluff Overlook because road conditions prevented access to the Overlook. Survey times were from 0800 – 1400 EST from 15 March – 31 March and from 0800 – 1600 from 1 April – 15 June, weather and flight conditions pending. A total of 579.1 hours of count were conducted this year, the majority (460.1 hours) conducted by Max Henschell, the official KRS Raptor Counter for 2010. Other official counters included Skye Haas (38 hours), Joseph Youngman (37 hours), and Zach Gayk (36 hours).
Other notable highlights include over 17,000 Canada Geese were recorded flying over the Keweenaw Peninsula during the KRS, with approximately 12,000 flying through on 12 April! Other waterbirds recorded during the KRS include a surprising flock of 43 White-winged Scoters on 21 May, 331 Common Loons, 2 Red-throated Loons, 47 American White Pelicans, Common Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron, 3 Killdeer, 1 Upland Sandpiper. 156 Sandhill Cranes were also recorded during the count.
Bohemian Waxwing by Max Henschell
Three species of owls were recorded during the count period. These include a Barred Owl heard calling in the valley from mid-April through June, a Northern Saw-whet Owl heard on two consecutive days calling from the valley, 17 and 18 March and a fly-through Snowy Owl on 2 May being harassed by the local Common Raven pair.
Seventy-seven species of passerines (order Passeriformes) or near-passerines (orders Apodiformes – swifts and hummingbirds; Piciformes – woodpeckers) were recorded during the KRS. Notable species included Northern Shrike, nesting Common Ravens, Wood Thrush, Bohemian Waxwing, Eastern Towhee, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Common Redpoll.
