Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch

Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch Dedicated to the research and conservation of raptors in the Straits of Mackinac.

Our banders worked with the Rough-legged hawk this spring, and if you look closely, you can see that this young bird ha...
06/19/2026

Our banders worked with the Rough-legged hawk this spring, and if you look closely, you can see that this young bird hatched last year and was beginning his first adult molt.

If you want to see one, you're going to need to either travel or wait a few months because Rough-legged hawks breed in the Arctic and migrate south for the winter.

If you want to see a Lesser Scaup, you're going to want to go to a very large body of water. If you want to see a leucis...
06/15/2026

If you want to see a Lesser Scaup, you're going to want to go to a very large body of water. If you want to see a leucistic Scaup, like the one we spotted at McGulpin Point this spring, you're also going to need some luck! 🍀

📸: Oliver Kew

Raptors can be challenging for birders to identify because many species have different morphs, or color variations. Thes...
06/13/2026

Raptors can be challenging for birders to identify because many species have different morphs, or color variations. These different variations help them survive in different habitats.

For most raptor species, we tend to find more dark morph individuals in the western states or provinces, but both of these Red-tailed hawks were photographed at our count site this spring by a guest. While morphs make identification more challenging, it also makes spotting the different color variations all the more exciting.

📸: Justin Labadie

Sharp-shinned Hawks are one of the most commonly caught species at our banding site. These four pictures highlight the d...
06/05/2026

Sharp-shinned Hawks are one of the most commonly caught species at our banding site. These four pictures highlight the difference in eye color for the species, which changes as the bird ages. Their eyes will transition from bright yellow as juveniles to deep orange and eventually dark red as mature adults.

Check out this trio of Red-tailed Hawks our banders worked with this spring! Red-tailed Hawks reach maturity at two year...
05/29/2026

Check out this trio of Red-tailed Hawks our banders worked with this spring! Red-tailed Hawks reach maturity at two years of age, which is when they begin to grow their distinct red tail feathers.

05/29/2026

As spring migration starts to come to a close, what has been your favorite sighting this season? 🦅

If you love history, birds and art, you will want to head over to Petoskey on June 15-19, when Petoskey Audubon and othe...
05/27/2026

If you love history, birds and art, you will want to head over to Petoskey on June 15-19, when Petoskey Audubon and other local partners will commemorate Petoskey as the last large passenger pigeon nesting site.

Scientists estimate that at one point, passenger pigeons made up 25 to 40 percent of the total bird population of the United States. The migratory birds eventually went extinct in 1914 due to habitat loss and excessive hunting by humans.

For more details about the event, visit https://www.petoskeymuseum.org/passenger-pigeons.html

Address

P. O. Box 465
Petoskey, MI
49770

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch:

Shortcuts

Share

Category