Fall Birding: Making the most of the migration season
Fall birding tips, hotspots, and species to watch
Spring is usually thought of as the high season for birders, with the return of our feathered friends not only marking the end of winter but also bringing us bright plumage and beautiful songs to enjoy while the world wakes up.
But according to Brian Allen of the Manistee Audubon Society, fall is a special time all its own.
“Fall is more subtle and it’s more protracted,” Allen says of the migration season. “But in ways that can be more exciting because there are more rare birds in fall, partly because of the young birds that are raised during the summer. As migration starts, we assume that there’s a tendency for some young birds to make mistakes,” which he says leads to the chance of spotting some rare creatures outside their usual migration patterns.
(Those of us with no sense of direction can surely relate.)
Caleb Putnam, a “self-professed bird nut” who has worked for the Audubon Society and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, agrees that autumn is an ideal time for birding.
“One of the neat things that happens in the fall is there are now three to four extra birds per adult bird that came in the spring. … The woods are so full of birds that it’s just a wonderful time to be out. It can be even a little bit easier to see stuff, because you’ll have the foliage starting to fall,” he says.
What to See (and When)
What we humans think of as autumn officially begins in mid-September. But for the birds, the fall migration can begin as early as late June for some species and stretch into December for others.
Shorebirds head south in early August, while neotropical species (like orioles, warblers, and tanagers) peak in mid-September. As you read this story in early October, you can expect to see the tail end of the sparrows’ journey and the start of prime migration time for waterfowl, followed by the departure of raptors.
Allen calls the first week of November “rarities week,” noting it’s a chance to see some very unique species.
“All of a sudden, usually the first week or second week of November, you’ll get a huge storm. It’ll be 65 degrees one day and then 20 the next, with 20 foot waves on Lake Michigan. Things really get pushed around, and if you go out to the lake and or the beaches, something weird is going to show up, like a scissor-tailed flycatcher from Texas or a vermillion flycatcher or a northern wheatear from Europe.”
Even later in the year, you can catch another strange sight.
“In November, even December, before everything freezes up in the Straits [of Mackinac], they get these huge rafts of ducks,” says Lisa Hoyt, president of the Petoskey Audubon Society. “A lot of times, it’s the redhead duck, which is beautiful. Essentially, it’s just these masses—there could be 2,000 or 3,000 of them together. It’s something that’s really incredible.”
Where to Go
In a way, the opportunities are endless when it comes to finding the perfect bird-watching spot.
For those ready to travel, the experts shared a few favorite spots.
The Hottest Spots
Putnam says many of the geographic peninsulas that stick out into the Great Lakes are prime habitat, listing Tawas Point (near East Tawas), Whitefish Point (near Paradise in the U.P.), and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Above the 45th
For a similar on-the-water vibe, Hoyt recommends McGulpin Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. And for a unique way to experience local raptor migration, she points to the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch (MSRW). The organization tracks and researches migrating birds of prey with the goals of both conservation and educating the public about species like red-tailed hawks and golden eagles.
Tracking takes place in St. Ignace at Point LaBarbe, and August data reveals a lot of birds on the move; 594 raptors ranging from turkey vultures to bald eagles to peregrine falcons were recorded in 2022 as compared to 545 in 2021 and 512 in 2020. Over the years, MSRW has recorded spikes in the populations of broad-winged hawks and red-shouldered hawks, which osprey, American kestrel, and sharp-shinned hawk sightings have declined.
“They do counts both in the spring and the fall,” says Hoyt. She explains that the organization also does an owl-banding project that the general public can participate in. “If someone has never experienced that, that’s definitely something that people can go try out. The great thing is that it’s free and they can learn more about the owls and their behaviors.”
Those interested in owl banding can email info@mackinacraptorwatch.org to reserve a spot. MSRW offers a variety of other programs throughout the fall at mackinacraptorwatch.org/events.
On the River
Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) in Bellaire is part of the Sunset Coast Birding Trail and is a prime spot to see waterfowl right now, according to GRNA Education Director James Dake.
“We get a lot of waterfowl out on the river like goldeneyes, buffleheads, and redheads that use that open water, especially going into the wintertime. [Grass River] stays open, so we get tons of waterfowl packed in there as things start to freeze up later in the fall.”
Down South
As for the southern part of northern Michigan, Allen says the First Street Beach pier in Manistee is a great spot, though it’s currently under construction. He also enjoys Arcadia Marsh—“the boardwalk is such a fantastic place to bird the wetland habitat,” he says—as well as Otter Creek in Benzie, Elberta Marsh, and the Betsie Valley Trail.
In Your Backyard
But if you don’t have the spare time for a trip to a bird wonderland, for many of us, birding can be as simple as looking out the window or walking to the wooded lot at the end of the street.
“I really want to make a pitch for local patch birding,” Putnam says. “Even in your backyard, if you’re paying attention, you can see many of the same species that you’ll see in these world-famous sites. … I really encourage folks to just figure out where within a short distance to your house—walking distance, biking distance—where do you have habitat? Then make a point to hit that a couple of times a week, and you’ll be shocked what you’ll find. People even find amazing rarities in these kinds of sites.”
Allen seconds this. “A lot of people get out to certain woodlots or beaches or fields that are really good habitat. You know, it’s very tempting, especially with all the rarities being found, to hop in your car to drive…but a lot of people have found, especially during COVID, that it’s really fun to have a local patch to really get to know.”
Want to attract more birds to your yard? Allen has the solution.
“Always be conscious of what you can do, as far as conservation and protecting birds. If you’re going to be birding, this is a great time of year for planting native plants or bushes that have berries and food for birds year-round. It’s great on the nasty days of fall to have a little sanctuary where you can sit back, have a cup of hot chocolate, and look outside of the bushes and trees you planted and see some [migrating birds] taking advantage of the shelter and food you’ve provided for them.”
He adds that volunteering for organizations like the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, local Audubon clubs, and Saving Birds Thru Habitat of Omena are great ways to protect habitat, get out on the trails, and see some birds along the way.
How to See Them All
Now that you know what you’re looking for and where to go, it’s time to talk gear. But when it comes to bird apps, we’re not talking about Twitter. Our experts gave us multiple recommendations for upping your birding game, and none of them involve a character limit.
Websites
BirdCast (birdcast.info) and eBird (ebird.org) offer real-time migration maps and data to help you find the perfect species and the perfect flyover hotspot. Meanwhile, the American Birding Association gives birding dos and don’ts, as well as ways to get involved in conservation efforts. aba.org
Apps
Merlin is a birding app developed through the Cornell Lab (the preeminent experts on all things bird with the help of scientists, students, and citizens) that helps you identify birds by their songs, photos, or information about their size, colors, and habitat. Putnman says this app is akin to having a “personal tour guide in the field.”
Similarly, an app called BirdsEye provides lists of bird sightings nearby, trip planning, and a rare bird alert.
Gear
Beyond the tech lists above, a camera and good pair of binoculars go a long way, according to Dake. “Birding is one of those things, like any other hobby, where you can get really into it and spend tons of money on loads of equipment or you can keep it really simple. So I recommend that’s one of the things you can keep very simple. Get a nice pair of binoculars…and just get out and enjoy it.”