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On Saturday, December 18, I went to Muskegon State Park to help with the Muskegon Christmas Bird Count. While Ric and Ken headed into the woods, I continued to the shore of Lake Michigan. As in past years, I wanted to conduct an all-day waterbird census. Similar watches so far this fall have again produced good species and very high counts. However, the strong winds, snow, limited visibility, and large waves insisted that this was not to be. There were thousands of waterfowl, but they simply could not be accurately enumerated from my vantage.
I returned to Snug Harbor and hiked the Lost Lake / Hearty Hiker Trail loop (about 3 miles). Not surprisingly, the upland mixed hardwood and oak forests were devoid of bird life. However, the hemlocks produced a small variety, including a Barred Owl. I worked the lowland brush carefully, for barberry, privet, and highbush cranberry have produced abundant fruit this year. Although these are exotic plants, for better or worse, their berries buffer the local scarcity of native fruit. Two Cedar Waxwings, one American Robin, 9 Eastern Bluebirds, and a single Hermit Thrush (rare this far north in the winter) were quietly eating the berries.
- Brian Johnson
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