Date: 09/13/2021

Number: 250

Roost passing through, hundreds filling the trees

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 09/17/21]:

The roost started arriving the afternoon of the 13th of Sept. We watched them fly in over the course of about 3-4 hours, mainly from the North East. At first it was mainly just a group of maple trees they were in in the side yard on the east side of house.. As they started trickling in, probably 1-2 every minute they started occupying the trees in the back yard (north side of house), and then the trees in the far side to the west. Eventually they filled the yard all the way around the house (its a large farmhouse). It's an old farm with many mature trees. Mainly maple, but they also loved the walnut trees I noticed. We also have pines, but the maple seemed to be the tree of choice. They were very large mature trees and they had lots of cover. There are almost 20 trees on this property.

When they arrived on the 13th, it was beautiful, sunny, and 82 degrees. Overnight it was about 66. The next day it reached almost 90 degrees and very humid, with storms in the afternoon. They showed no signs of leaving on the 14th, I think they sensed the storm coming. Overnight that night was mid 60's again. They left the next day on the 15th when it was sunny and 75. I don't know what time they left for sure, it was mid day and I was at work.

I remember looking at the wind direction and I'm fairly certain it was coming from the north-north east.

The property is surrounded by farm fields. One field was left farrow this year and it was full of various weeds and goldenrod.

So the estimate, well...was an estimate. They were everywhere, an amazing sight for sure. I picked one tree and lost count multiple times but there were at least 30ish just in one tree...multiplied by the 15-20 trees they were occupying, that's how I estimated. I may have even been low on my 250 estimation.

All onhad was my camera phone and it doesn't do the reality justice. I did post a couple live videos each day on the 13th and 14th if you want to view them. They are on my Facebook page that is viewable to the public. This was way better than any photo's I was able to take.. Wendy Burr is my name.

I also raise them, and have released about 160 this year with tags. I raise them outside in a modified greenhouse so they get the natural light and good air flow. I had one to release, so I did release it on the 14th into the Migration roost, so it will be interesting to see if she makes it.

Mendon, MI

Latitude: 42.1 Longitude: -85.4

Observed by: Wendy
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