The spring migration of raptors is in full swing as I witnessed up in Mackinaw City yesterday afternoon.  Saw dozens of birds high up in large kettles staging for the flight north across the straits. I was told they were mostly Buteos with a few Bald Eagles and a couple of immature Golden Eagles. With a forecast southerly component to the wind, today should be even better. Working on my hawk identification skills so that I can begin to tell one from another up high.  Also saw two large flocks of Sandhill Cranes passing through.  I'll be back in Mackinaw City on Tuesday with the Petoskey Audubon outing. Followed yesterday's hawk watch with a pot-luck at the Headlands Beach House; then nets and audio lures were set up for (Northern Saw-whet) Owl capture and banding followed by star gazing.

The Headlands is one of only six dark sky parks in the USA as designated by the International Dark Sky Association. Another fabulous Northern Michigan resource:

http://www.emmetcounty.org/darkskypark/

If you prefer to look at stars from the comfort of home:
http://skysurvey.org/

Although there was a full moon, on this night we saw a great many more planets (three) and stars (millions, who knows) than owls (zero as of 10:45pm when I left).  Here's somebody else's image of a full grown Northern Saw-whet Owl.  And here's a link to hear what they sound like.  Big noise for a little bird!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl/sounds