White Lake and MLNP, Jan. 25

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Checking White Lake Channel, this afternoon (Jan. 25), I saw:

1 Canvasback (9 were at Pere Marquette on Jan. 23)

9 Redhead

1 female Surf Scoter (a male was also there on Jan. 19)

1 female White-winged Scoter

1 Red-headed Woodpecker

4 Pine Siskin

various other ducks, with Common Goldeneye being the most numerous (463).

I then stopped at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve.  Lois Behrends and Carol Cooper have been doing a great job at keeping the feeders filled.  Consequently, some of my counts there this winter have been the highest ever (36 House Finches were notable). Of interest were:

1 White-crowned Sparrow (immature) - rare in Muskegon County during the winter

1 Song Sparrow

Both of these birds were not banded, nor had they been noted in December, so I suspect they arrived in the last few weeks. Most other species are prominently showing their jewelry.

In the Muskegon River, there were 3 Tundra Swans (others could be heard west of the Cobb Plant) and 2 Great Blue Herons.

- Brian Johnson
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