RAPTOR FEST M ackinaw - April 5-7, 2019 - Mackinaw Raptor Fest
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M ackinaw
RAPTOR FEST
April 5–7, 2019
www.MackinawRaptorFest.org
1
Welcome to the Mackinaw Raptor Fest
Welcome to the fourth annual Mackinaw Raptor Fest,
offered by the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch (MSRW).
This boutique event attracts both repeat attendees
and newcomers. Timed to offer you a chance to see
Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks and Golden
Eagles during spring migration, the Fest also lets you
share the company of other birders and learn about
raptors and water birds from exceptional presenters
and interpreters.
Through your attendance, volunteering, and generous
donations, you have enabled MSRW to celebrate its fifth
MACKINAC STRAITS RAPTOR WATCH BOARD anniversary. Since 2014, our bird migration research
OF DIRECTORS, L-R: STEVE BAKER, DAVE has expanded to embrace hawks, owls, and waterbirds
MAYBERRY, JOSH HAAS, JACKIE PILETTE, during both spring and fall migration. Volunteer or
KATHY BRICKER, STEVE WAGNER, ED PIKE contracted raptor naturalists greet people and teach
NOT PICTURED: BERT EBBERS, MELISSA them about birds at the Hawk Watch.
HANSEN, JOANN LEAL, SUE STEWART
Starting in 2016, education increased through
launching the Mackinaw Raptor Fest, giving dozens
of talks and exhibits around Michigan, and earning
What is ? more media and on-line coverage. To promote
conservation of needed habitat, MSRW submitted
data to key decision-makers about the importance of
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch supports
the Straits to waterbirds and other migrants. In late
the conservation of habitat for migrating
2018, Executive Director Richard Couse joined MSRW
birds of prey and waterbirds in the Straits of
to enable even more successes.
Mackinac region. It:
As MSRW launches into its sixth year of 2019, we thank
Conducts research to quantify the species
you for your support.
diversity and abundance of raptors and
waterbirds migrating through the Straits
of Mackinac, and to document changes in
Enjoy the 2019 Mackinaw Raptor Fest!
migration patterns over time.
On the cover:
Provides educational opportunities for
people of all ages to increase understanding
of raptor and waterbird migration, and
The 2019 Mackinaw Raptor Fest logo
the special significance of the Straits and
features a photograph by Keynote
the natural resources surrounding it for
Speaker, Todd Katzner. He explains:
migrating birds. “This Golden Eagle was captured,
tagged, and released in 2006 near
Supports the conservation and stewardship the Allegheny Front Hawkwatch,
of the natural resources in the Straits region near Central City, Pennsylvania. We
to optimize the size, location, suitability, tracked that eagle for a couple of years and learned
and sustainability of stop-over habitat for that it summered in Quebec and wintered in the central
raptors and waterbirds. Appalachians of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”
2 www.mackinacraptorwatch.org
Thank you to all! Fest Mission
It is my great pleasure to welcome back this awesome event.
Mackinaw City, one of the major flyways for migrating raptors, Provide an entertaining and
is very fortunate to have this dedicated group of people who educational showcase to promote
devote so much time and effort into this enterprise. This public awareness and knowledge
being the fourth annual Raptor Fest, we as a community feel of raptors and waterbirds and the
proud that this event attracts so many birders and others who significance of Mackinaw City and
are curious about the nature of these migrations. We have
the Straits of Mackinac during
witnessed over the years that this event has taken place, a
growing attendance and influx of new visitors from far and migration.
wide. We thank all who attend and hope you enjoy your stay
in our beautiful village. We look forward to hearing about the Promote positive public attitudes
success of your watch and count. towards raptors and waterbirds
Scott P. Newman, Village President and their importance to the
Mackinaw City, Michigan environment.
Become an internationally
renowned annual festival that
will generate ongoing ecotourism
revenue for the Straits area and
sponsorship for research on
raptors.
Come Visit Petoskey Too!
The Petoskey Area is just 45 minutes from Mackinaw City
and Raptor Fest. We invite guests to come explore Petoskey,
Harbor Springs, Boyne City, Alanson and Bay Harbor either
before or after experiencing this enlightening event. Keep in
mind that the Sunset Coast Birding Trail includes our area
and this is a paradise for birders year ‘round.
PHOTO BY STEVE BAKER
Visit www.PetoskeyArea.com for more information.
Why So Many Hawks in Mackinaw City? Mackinac VS Mackinaw?
Every Spring and Fall, thousands of hawks, eagles, and vultures Visitors to the Straits area wonder why this
funnel into the Straits of Mackinac, concentrated until conditions name has two spellings. The French occupied
are right to continue migration across the narrowest stretch of this region first and spelled it Mackinac,
water between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To save energy, pronounced as Mackinaw. The British
daytime raptors often soar on rising air currents to gain altitude. who followed spelled the name the way it
Called kettles, these formations contain dozens, hundreds, or even sounded. Over time the city retained the “aw”
thousands of birds, spiraling upward until the birds disappear from spelling while the bridge, straits, island, and
sight. Those higher up strike out across the three-mile-wide Straits the county containing St. Ignace clung to the
of Mackinac. Some hawks make it in only one try. Those who fail “ac” spelling. So, the Mackinac Straits Raptor
will return to try again later the same day or on future days. Watch sponsors the Mackinaw Raptor Fest.
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2019 Programs
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
9:00 AM Plenary Session:
“Conservation of Raptors and Michigan’s Natural Features Inventory
Program” BY DAVID CUTHRELL
The Michigan Natural Features Inventory has been generating and disseminating the highest quality scientific
information on the location and condition of rare species for more than 35 years. David will provide an overview of the
Program and its Biotics Conservation Database. This database, approaching 20,000 records, is used by many entities
in the conservation of rare species, including rare raptors.
10:15 AM Breakout Session Choices:
the camera. Josh Haas will share some of his favorite
“Science of Lead Poisoning of Raptors” techniques for capturing inspiring images of hawks in
BY TODD KATZNER flight and getting around tracking and focus issues.
Lead is a poisonous metal present in a variety of He will share his favorite spots for the best photo
commercial products, as a pollutant from industrial opportunities and tell how to prepare for your days of
activities, and as an environmental contaminant in many photographing hawks.
urban and rural habitats throughout the world. When
ingested or inhaled, the body "mistakes" lead for calcium
and other beneficial metals, and thus transports lead into
“Osprey Migration Across the
nerve cells and other vital tissues. Mankind has long known Americas” BY MARK MARTELL
about lead as an agent of sickness and death. But recent Ospreys, with their worldwide distribution, large size,
medical studies show harmful effects at unexpectedly and long migratory flights have been studied throughout
low levels of exposure, including impairment of cognitive all phases of their life cycle. From northern nesting
function and physical growth in children. grounds, along well-established migration corridors, to
tropical wintering areas, they have adapted to a variety
“Movement Ecology of Bald Eagles in of climates, geography, and human disturbance. Ospreys
have been counted at raptor watch sites, tracked with
the Midwest” BY TRISH MILLER satellite telemetry, and observed for countless hours.
Bald Eagles are often found along the waterways of the Such research reveals how Ospreys recovered from near
Midwest throughout the year. However, an increasing extinction to become one of the most widespread –
number are nesting and wintering in upland areas, and in some places common – raptors, through taking
where they are exposed to wind energy, electrocution, advantage of environments modified by humans.
lead poisoning, and collisions with vehicles. To better
understand how eagles use the Midwest and to conserve
this iconic species, Dr. Miller and colleagues tracked 71
“Why Are We Here?: The Migratory
Bald Eagles with telemetry. Learn about their findings Mindset of MSRW” BY RICHARD COUSE
and efforts to conserve Bald Eagles in this fragmented This talk gives an overview of MSRW’s organizational
landscape. history and research findings over the years. Rich will
describe educational public outreach as well, through
“Raptors in Flight: Photography Tips” people viewing the research sites in Cheboygan,
BY JOSH HAAS Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace. He will summarize past
Mackinaw Raptor Fests for those who did not attend
Hawks in flight pose big challenges to aspiring bird them. The program will also allow attendees to provide
photographers. Tricky lighting and erratic raptors input and reactions on possible future research,
often seem like they want nothing more than to avoid education, and conservation work.
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11:15 AM Breakout Session Choices:
“Twenty Years of Recovering
“Snowy Owls and Project
California Condors – What To Do
SNOWstorm” BY MICHAEL LANZONE
With What We’ve Learned About
Some Snowy Owls remain on the northern breeding
Lead in the Environment” grounds or actually move onto the Arctic sea ice, hunting
BY CHRIS N. PARISH in perpetual winter darkness. Others, sometimes in
Humans narrowly averted the extinction of North America’s large numbers, migrate south in a phenomenon called
largest flying land-bird. The trials and tribulations of an irruption. In the mega-irruption of 2013, Snowy Owls
condors offer landscape-scale insights into an ever- were seen as far south as Florida and Bermuda. Most
changing arena of anthropogenic forcings. Since lead people assume that hunger has driven these owls south,
poisoning remains the single greatest threat to condors, and that the birds will starve to death in unfamiliar
the North American Non-Lead Partnership benefits them landscapes. Both assumptions have been proven wrong
as well as other scavengers. Keeping lead out of the by Project SNOWStorm. In this talk, Michael Lanzone
environment is as important as ongoing scientific research shares research from many collaborators in Project
in recovering and protecting such species. SNOWstorm.
“Adaptations for Raptor Flight” “Movement Ecology of Bald Eagles in
BY JOSH HAAS the Midwest” BY TRISH MILLER
As predators and meat-eaters, raptors must first capture See page 4 description
their prey. How is that done and how easy is it? This
talk will wow you with the many adaptations that allow
birds of prey to master their challenging lifestyle. Special “Why Are We Here?: The Migratory
features include their body and wing shapes, weight, Mindset of MSRW” BY RICHARD COUSE
and feathering patterns. These and other structural and See page 4 description
physiological factors result in spectacular feats of flight
by raptors, from tail chases to dives from great heights.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
1:45 PM “Golden Eagle Conservation” BY TODD KATZNER
Todd, Chair of the Eastern Golden Eagle
Working Group, explains how this international
collaborative of managers and researchers has
tracked and worked to conserve Golden Eagles
in eastern North America since 2006. Before their
work, very little was known about these birds.
Through telemetry and more traditional research,
this group has learned about the ecology,
behavior, and conservation of this enigmatic bird.
This program will help you better understand the
eastern Golden Eagle and its migration ecology,
including new insights into the relationship
between Golden Eagle migration behavior and the
PHOTO BY STEVE BAKER
potential threats of wind turbines.
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2019 Programs
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
3:00 PM Breakout Session Choices:
“Identification of Waterbirds in
Flight” BY DARRELL LAWSON
Based on years of identifying and photographing
waterbirds and serving as back-up counter for MSRW,
Darrell will explain and illustrate how to identify
waterbirds in flight. You will learn of features not
emphasized in most bird books such as the tempo of
wing flapping, shape of body, and silhouettes.
“Hawk Watching: A Novice-Friendly
Hawk Identification Experience”
BY BOB PETTIT
Hawk watching is a thrilling type of birdwatching. Learn to
identify hawks in flight during migration. This workshop
highlights using binoculars, recognizing hawk types,
learning flight characters, discovering flight ID clues, and
“Wind Energy and Raptors Panel comprehending migration mechanics. You will receive
Discussion” WITH TODD KATZNER, MARK ample handouts, learn how raptors behave in flight,
MARTELL, TRISH MILLER, DAVID CUTHRELL and hear about experiencing raptor migration. You will
become more skilled in hawk identification and better
This first-ever panel discussion at a Mackinaw Raptor
appreciate the migration, beauty, and role of birds of prey.
Fest takes advantage of the presence of four specialists
who have been engaged in research and activism on this
issue. Their studies, including telemetry, provide insights
into the relationship between Golden Eagle migration
“Why Are We Here?: The Migratory
behavior and the potential threats of wind turbines. They Mindset of MSRW” BY RICHARD COUSE
have conducted raptor surveys for power companies See page 4 description
putting up wind turbines and been involved in siting and
mitigation methods to reduce the possibility of harm
from alternative energy sources. 4:30 PM St. Anthony’s Church:
“VultureNet: The Internet of Wildlife “Modern Falconry with Live Raptors”
BY JENNY SCHROEDER
and the Future of Animal Tracking”
BY MICHAEL LANZONE A licensed falconer will bring several of her hunting birds
along with equipment to show how falconry has changed
This talk has a lot of potential application for raptors passing over time and what falconry looks like in modern time.
through Mackinac Straits in the future. Mike will explain She will address history, regulation, training techniques,
and give examples of how the transmitters that raptors and and the inner workings of the behavior between the
vultures are wearing can talk to all the smaller transmitters oldest hunting partners in the world. This program will
from other birds and animals. They can collect all their data include live Falcons, Hawks and Owls.
as well and send it back to the researchers.
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2019 Presenters
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Keynote Speaker Todd Katzner (Eastern Golden Eagle
Working Group presenter) is a research wildlife biologist
at the Snake River Field Station of the U.S. Geological
Survey in Boise, Idaho. After 25 years of work in ecology and
conservation biology, he now focuses on understanding
and mitigating threats from renewable energy to soaring
birds of prey. Todd also researches raptors in central Asia,
particularly eagles in the Republic of Kazakhstan. He co-
edited and authored the book The Eagle Watchers and co-
founded the wildlife telemetry company Cellular Tracking
Technologies, LLC. (Of interest to anyone into truly long-
distance migratory raptors, his research also includes the
Red-footed Falcon!)
PLENARY SPEAKER
Plenary Speaker David Cuthrell (Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group presenter)
is a conservation scientist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, part of
MSU Extension. He has assisted with a variety of rare species surveys throughout
the state and has worked with Northern Goshawks and Red-shouldered Hawks
for over two decades. Believing that “conservation requires knowledge and
action,” he disseminates information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Michigan DNR, and through publications, training workshops, and participation
in many professional organizations. When he is not chasing bugs or sloshing
through prairie fens, he enjoys time with his family and umpiring baseball.
LIVE RAPTOR PRESENTER
Live Raptor Presenter Jenny Schroeder has a passion for youth education.
She runs Hawk Hill Raptors in order to educate people about birds of prey
through programs with live raptors. Schroeder has a degree in animal behavior
from Michigan State University and has been conducting wildlife education
programming for about twenty years. She worked full time for ten years for the
Michigan United Conservation Clubs coordinating their Wildlife Encounters
Program in partnership with the Michigan State University College of Veterinary
Medicine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Looking for a more in- depth way to
understand raptor behavior, Schroeder found the answer in falconry. She has
been a licensed falconer for 12 years and belongs to the Michigan Hawking Club.
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2019 Thank you to our Sponsors
Evening Program ($100) In-Kind Donors
($1,000 and up) Susan Hayes Affholter Bird Watchers Digest/Redstart Birding
Au Sable Valley Audubon
Straits Area Audubon Society CheapTotes
Carp Lake Womens’ Club
Chocolay Raptor Center Coffman Hardware
Birds of Prey ($500) Citizens National Bank Nancy Demeuse
Coffman Hardware Dar's Hallmark Keith Hammond
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau W.W. Fairbairn Hardware Harbor Lights Grill
Lynn Fraze Photography Irish Boat Shop
Petoskey Regional Audubon Society
Keyhole Bar & Grill Deb Kurtz
Mackinaw Woman’s Club
Keynote ($250) Paradise Lake Association
McLean and Eakin Bookstore
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo Petoskey Plastics Patagonia
Awakon Federal Credit Union Straits Area Federal Credit Union Teysen Gifts
Thunder Bay Audubon Society Vernales Restaurant
8 Wheeler Chevrolet Buick Motors Ward and Eis
2019
Major Fest Volunteers
Susan Affholter Sponsors
Gary Appold Audio-Visual
g
Barbara Beck Photography
Kathy Bricker Chair
Karen Busch Speaker Liaison
Dennis Fay Website
Cathy Freebairn Silent Auction
Leonard Graf Field Trips & Interpreters
Melissa Hansen Exhibitors
Lisa Hoyt Master of Ceremony
Eileen Martini Speaker Liaison
WE THANK PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT
Dave Mayberry Merchandise
AND LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY FOR
Tammy Noirot Registrant Bags
VOLUNTEER MEETING SPACE.
Denise Richards Scholarships
Linda Rogers Site Manager 9
2019 Presenters
Richard Couse became Executive Director of Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch
in September 2018. Rich first worked in the field of Human Services advocating for
troubled teens, variously as a counselor, grant writer, and program coordinator.
After earning a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Antioch University
New England, he conducted field research on species ranging from Nelson’s
Sparrows, Piping Plovers, and Least Terns to Eastern Hognose Snakes and the
federally-endangered New England Cottontail Rabbit. He is passionate about the
importance of raptor conservation and sees great potential for MSRW. The sky is
the limit!
Josh Haas, past Chris N. Parish
President of Battle Creek (Eastern Golden Eagle
Audubon, first developed Working Group presenter)
a love for hawks working was raised in a small
with the birds of prey at the farming/ranching and oil
Kalamazoo Nature Center. A town in San Joaquin Valley,
hawkwatching trip to Lake California. After being
Erie Metropark opened his introduced to wildlife of
eyes to hawks in migration. the desert foothills through
Perplexed by seeing specks at a distance with an hunting and fishing, he attended Northern Arizona
overwhelming itch to know what they were, he University in Biology on an athletic scholarship.
started learning from veteran hawk watchers and Upon reflection of the vast gap between the people
was hooked. He spent seven seasons helping the of the land and conservation-oriented groups,
Detroit River Hawkwatch as a relief counter. His goal he vowed to bring these groups together to build
of making hawks accessible to everyone spawned intentional and successful conservation. After five
the “Hawks on the Wing” instructional video on years with the Arizona Game and Fish Department
identifying hawks in flight. Josh co-owns Hawks at as a wildlife biologist, he became Condor Program
a Glance and Glances At Nature Photography where Director for The Peregrine Fund and now serves as
he sells his work, teaches lessons and workshops, its Director of Global Conservation while pursuing a
and leads bird photography trips around the Ph.D. at Northern Arizona University. He also chairs
Midwest. the North American Non-Lead Partnership.
Mark Martell (Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group presenter) is a Senior
Ecologist with Tetra Tech, Inc. Sciences in Bloomington, Minnesota. Before moving
to this environmental consulting firm, he served as Director of Bird Conservation at
Audubon Minnesota for twelve years. It was there that he began satellite tracking
of Golden Eagles. Prior to Audubon, he was a Research Fellow at the Raptor Center
at the University of Minnesota. He has conducted research on raptors in North and
Central America since 1985 and was the keynote speaker at the 2017 Mackinaw
Raptor Fest.
10Mike Lanzone Bob Pettit gained
(Eastern Golden Eagle his love for spotting and
Working Group presenter) counting birds from his
started birding when he was mother and ornithologist
8, and since then has traveled father. He earned his Masters
the world to watch, listen degree in Ornithology from
to, study, and photograph Central Michigan University
birds. He has worked as a and became a Biology Professor at Monroe County
field ornithologist for various Community College. Bob co-founded the Erie
state, federal, and private organizations in the U.S. Shores Birding Association, chaired the Whitefish
and Mexico and was the Assistant Coordinator Point Bird Observatory and the Hawk Migration
for the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas. He Association of North America, and was president of
served as Supervisor of the Biotechnology and the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory. He has
Biomonitoring Lab at Powdermill, the biological volunteered as raptor observer for over 30 years,
research station of Carnegie Museum of Natural amassing 1,500+ hours of observation, and has
History. Currently, Mike is the Chief Executive Officer conducted workshops on hawk identification for
of Cellular Tracking Technologies in Somerset, PA. over 25 years. For Bob, it’s not about racking up a
His recent work has focused on Golden Eagle and list of species. It’s about camaraderie and giving
Snowy Owl flight behavior and telemetry, including a little something back, ‘seeing it, sharing it with
participation in Project SNOWstorm. Mike is excited other folks, and then sharing the data with the
about the application of bioacoustics to monitoring world so we can see the health of our environment.’
nocturnal bird migrants using their flight calls, as
well as geographically remote breeding populations
of songbirds. Mike’s hobbies include butterflies,
Dr. Trish Miller
dragonflies and damselflies, photography, wine (Eastern Golden Eagle
making, and gardening. Working Group presenter)
has been studying birds for
over 20 years and has been
Darrell Lawson, a tracking and studying eagles
computer programmer, for over a decade. She has
ranks as one of the top Ebird a long standing interest in bird conservation and
participants in Michigan. spatial ecology. Dr. Miller works as a senior research
He is past president of wildlife biologist and the executive director of
Petoskey Regional Audubon Conservation Science Global where she studies
Society and served on the movement ecology and conservation of raptors,
governing committee of Mackinac Straits Raptor especially eagles. Her research integrates telemetry
Watch as well as a substitute waterbird counter. and spatial modeling to address conflicts with
Darrell leads many birding field trips and is the human development. She received her B.S. in
primary developer of the Sunset Coast Birding Trail biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
in northern lower Michigan. and her M.S. and Ph.D. in ecology from Penn State.
Photography Notice to Attendees MSRW uses volunteer photographers to take pictures,
to spread awareness of the importance of this scientific work and to encourage public participation.
No photos will be used or sold for profit. Photos may be posted on MSRW on-line sites or printed in
brochures or other written materials. By attending any MSRW event you are giving consent for your
photo to be taken and used. If you do not wish for your image to appear please inform us during
registration. In the case of minor children, MSRW will ask parents for written permission beforehand.
112019 Interpreters &
Field Trip Leaders
Steve Baker, a retired Kathy Bricker began
veterinarian from Indian attending Toledo Star and
River, has observed raptor Sky Study Group monthly
migration in the Straits meetings when she was 9
of Mackinac since the years old. Although she
early 1980s. He serves on pursued careers in biology,
the Board of Directors of land conservation, and non-
Mackinac Straits Raptor profit management and development rather than
Watch and has been the astronomy, she has shared her knowledge about
principal volunteer spring hawk counter since 2011 constellations with many groups since retiring to
as well as helping with waterbirds. Steve leads northern Michigan in 2006. A past president of
field trips and gives programs for several Audubon both Petoskey Regional and Straits Area Audubon
societies and land conservancies. He enjoys Societies, she co-founded Mackinac Straits Raptor
botanizing (especially for native orchids and ferns), Watch, serves as its Secretary and Mackinaw Raptor
kayaking, hiking, taking nature photographs, and Fest Chair, and presents programs to groups around
trying to learn the dragonflies. Michigan about its work.
Dave Mayberry Leonard Graf is a
works in landscape design licensed bird bander who has
and execution. For this, birded on all seven continents.
he travels frequently to He brings over 25 years of
Mackinac Island where experience as a part time
he has observed the volunteer hawk and waterbird
spring raptor migration counter at the Whitefish Point
for many years. He serves Bird Observatory. Leonard has
on the Board of Directors spent over 20 years leading
of Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch, which he co- winter birding tours to Sault Ste. Marie and leads state
founded. He created the public information kiosks wide birding trips for local Audubon clubs. He co-
at the hawk and owl research sites and manages authored the annotated checklist, “Birds of Leelanau
MSRW’s merchandise effort. County and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.”
Ed Pike, retired from Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, has conducted
bird research for four decades. As a licensed bird bander, he studied Barn Swallows
and Piping Plovers, serving on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Piping Plover
Recovery Team and chairing the D.N.R.'s Piping Plover Recovery Team. Wanting to
learn the importance of the Straits of Mackinac to raptors, he secured funding for
the first spring hawk count in 2004 and has banded more than 2,000 owls of eight
species, working both spring and fall migrations as a volunteer. Ed co-founded and
chairs the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch.
Darrell Lawson, See Presenter description on page 11
12Bev Kirby has long been
an avid birder, volunteering
with Michigan Audubon’s
Winter Bird Feeder Survey
and Cornell University’s
Project FeederWatch since
the beginning of both citizen
science programs. She volunteered and watched
hawks at Mackinac Straits for many years before
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch was founded and
continues as volunteer greeter whenever she can. Bev
worked at Birmingham Public School District for 35 FRONT ROW, L-R: 2018 SCHOLARS KELSEY BECRAFT
years. A native Canadian, Bev is seldom seen without AND MAEVE KLEIN; BACK ROW, L-R: FUNDERS
a smile on her face and her husband Jack by her side. JACKIE PILETTE, JOSH HAAS, CATHY FREEBAIRN
Elliot Nelson, an
outreach educator with Student Scholarship Program
Michigan Sea Grant, works Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch encourages
with coastal communities young people through hiring them to conduct
and businesses in the bird research and awarding scholarships to the
Eastern Upper Peninsula Mackinaw Raptor Fest. Anyone may donate to
to apply science-based enable future Student Scholars the chance to
knowledge to address Great attend the Fest. Each scholarship of $300 covers
Lakes, Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and the Fest fee, two field trips, and lodging.
northern Lake Huron issues. Nelson was formerly
a Research Assistant at the University of Michigan
Water Center and helped create the Michigan Water THE RONALD E. WALLIN HAWK
Collaboration Network. He also was the Program WATCH FUND HAS BEEN CREATED
Coordinator for the North Huron Birding Trail, a high IN RON’S MEMORY AND ENABLED
school science teacher and Founding Environmental ONE SCHOLARSHIP IN 2019.
Educator of the Cedar Campus Environmental
Stewardship and Tourism Program.
Bruce Seeger relocated
to Cheboygan from
downstate a decade ago.
Interested in birds for
most of his life, he joined
Straits Area Audubon
Society and participates
in the annual Cheboygan Christmas Bird Counts.
Seeger learned about the Hawk Count from an Wind Under Wings 2018 Award
article in the Cheboygan Daily Tribune announcing The 2018 Wind Under Wings Award was given
that professional counter Kevin Georg was hired by Bev Kirby to Erich Doerr, who accepted it on
to do the first count. Seeger credits Kevin Georg behalf of the St. Ignace News. The newspaper
for teaching him much about raptors and their was honored for its accurate, timely, and in-
identification during countless hours at the hawk depth reporting of Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch
watch over five years, including the magical day when activities over the past five years.
nearly five thousand Red-tailed Hawks were counted.
1314
15
2018 Research
Results at a Glance
M
SPRING HAWK COUNT, STARTED 2014:
64,298 individuals of 19 species with
ackinaw rarities of Black Vulture, Gryfalcon,
and Mississippi Kite
RAPTOR FEST (historic range 43,191 to 50,399)
FALL HAWK COUNT, STARTED 2017:
10,047 individuals of 15 species
Friday, April 5 (historic range 8,719 to 10,047)
7:15 pm Owls, Stars, and Night-Sky Photography at Headlands Dark Sky Park
FIELD TRIP REGISTRANTS ONLY SPRING OWL BANDING, STARTED 2015:
182 Owls captured of 3 species
Saturday, April 6 (historic range 82 to 254)
8:30–9 am Registration and Coffee, Exhibitors, Merchandise, Silent Auction
9–10 am PLENARY SESSION: Conservation of Raptors by David Cuthrell FALL OWL BANDING, STARTED 2014:
10:15–11 am BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose one) 118 Owls captured of 3 species
• Science of Lead Poisoning of Raptors (historic range 173 to 550)
• Movement Ecology of Bald Eagles in the Midwest
• Raptors in Flight: Photography Tips
SPRING WATERBIRD COUNT, STARTED 2016:
• Osprey Migration Across the Americas
• Why Are We Here?: The Migratory Mindset of MSRW 30,167 individuals of 38 species
11:15 am–Noon BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose one) (historic range 39,386 to 47,785)
• Twenty Years of Recovering California Condors –
What To Do With What We’ve Learned About Lead in the Environment FALL WATERBIRD COUNT, STARTED 2015:
• Adaptations for Raptor Flight 29,034 individuals of 43 species
• Snowy Owls and Project SNOWstorm (historic range 26,283 to 44,302)
• Movement Ecology of Bald Eagles in the Midwest
• Why Are We Here?: The Migratory Mindset of MSRW
Noon–1:45 pm Lunch at Area Restaurant of your choice (list and map provided)
1:45–2:45 pm KEYNOTE: Golden Eagle Conservation by Todd Katzner
3:00–3:45 pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose one)
• Wind Energy and Raptors Panel Discussion
• VultureNet: The Internet of Wildlife and the Future of Animal Tracking
• Identification of Waterbirds in Flight
• Hawk Watching: A Novice-Friendly Hawk Identification Experience
• Why Are We Here?: The Migratory Mindset of MSRW
4–4:30 pm Modern Falconry with Live Raptors at St. Anthony’s Church
5:45 pm Pizza & Pasta Buffet, Silent Auction, Wind Under Wings Award at St. Anthony’s Church Exhibits
7:15 pm Owls, Stars, and Night-Sky Photography at Headlands Dark Sky Park
FIELD TRIP REGISTRANTS ONLY BE SURE TO VISIT THE HALLWAY
EXHIBITS FROM VARIOUS NON-
Sunday, April 7 PROFIT CONSERVATION GROUPS.
5:30–Noon Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Trip to Upper Peninsula, meeting at Mackinaw City
Welcome Center ∙ FIELD TRIP REGISTRANTS ONLY Learning Bird Songs
8 am–4 pm Late Winter Birding in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, meeting at Mackinaw City School TEACHES TRIED AND TRUE
FREE TO ALL REGISTRANTS
METHODS TO MASTER BIRD SONG
7 am–3 pm Waterbird Research Viewing IDENTIFICATION AND ADD ANOTHER
9:30 am–11 am Learning Bird Songs by Bob Pettit at Headlands Dark Sky Park Guest House ASPECT TO YOUR BIRDING
10 am–4 pm Hawk Watch Research Viewing ENJOYMENT. YOU WILL RECEIVE
FREE EXPLANATORY HANDOUTS.
Learn More, Register, or Volunteer at www.MackinawRaptorFest.org
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