Golden Eagle/s at Wastewater Friday

November 29 Email:

I was at the Muskegon Wastewater facility today and shot photos of what I think are a pair of Golden Eagles. I'm almost positive one is a Golden, but when the two were together in a tree, they were too far away for a positive ID, especially with all the juvenile Bald Eagles that I was seeing during the same time frame.  I'm attaching a couple of photos.  If you'd like to post them to the website, please feel free to do so. I'd very much like feedback as to whether it is a Golden or juvenile Bald Eagle. Thanks.

- Jerry Vis

Thanks, Jerry.  Yes, your pictures are of an adult Golden Eagle (or two if these are different birds) with golden nape, non-blotchy plumage, slightly lighter flight feathers and smaller beak -- not an immature Bald.  Great shots!  Even if this is just one bird, if it perched near another in the same tree, I'd think the other was also a Golden, but that's just a guess.  - Ric

Short-eared Owls and More at Wastewater

I spent a little time "shopping" at the Muskegon County Wastewater today getting ready for the December Birding Competition (see post below)!  I found a Great Black-backed Gull on the ice by the dump.  The east and west lagoons were 99% frozen over.  In the west lagoon the Northern Shovelers found a little open water.  There were about 20 Snow Geese mixed in with the Canada's that were in the fields feeding.  For me the big find was 2 Short-eared Owls by the model airplane field.  It was about 5:30 pm, too dark for pictures.

- Charlie DeWitt

December Birding Competition Anyone?

November 26 Email:

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone is interested in a friendly competition to see who can find the most bird species in December in West Michigan.  The area would include three lakeshore counties (Muskegon/Ottawa/Allegan).  If so, send me an email no later than Friday, Nov. 29, to say you want to participate.  You won’t be able to enter after the month begins.  For those that enter, I will keep the official lists for everyone and give weekly updates (on Excel) so you know where you stand with others.  You just need to send me your birds as you see them.  Please forward this to anyone else you think might be interested.

Chip Francke

Email:  francke@charter.net

Backyard Piliated Woodpecker

November 25 Email:

WOW!  We've had them pass through in other years but never had one come to the suet.  She's a really big one. Picture was taken at 8:10 a.m. with very little light.  Came out pretty good for a 1/10 second exposure.

- Ken Sapkowski

Snow, Roughleg and Horned Grebe Saturday

Carol Cooper's northside field trip on Saturday produced several bird species including a Rough-legged Hawk at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve and a Horned Grebe at Snug Harbor.  Click for details.

Red Phalarope at Wastewater Saturday

To Mich-listers November 9:

Subject: Muskegon Wastewater Red Phalarope Yes

1225 pm. West lagoon. South shore.  Between center dike and west end closer to west end. 

Greg Bodker

Regarding Mystery Goose at Wastewater

November 8 Email:

Hi Ric,

I took a few pictures of the odd goose at the wastewater facility (posted below). As near as I can determine it is a cross breed between a Canada Goose and a Snow Goose. There is a lot of information on the net about these crosses and some images of the results.  I have included a couple of images that I took of the bird. I am pretty sure it is the same goose that Charlie photographed.

I hope that this helps with the I.D.

Terry Ankelen 

What Goose Is This? Please Comment!

Does anyone have an idea what goose this is?  I saw it today at the Muskegon County Wastewater.

- Charlie DeWitt

Red Phalarope Etc. at Wastewater Saturday

Today at the Muskegon County Wastewater the Red Phalarope was still there.  It was at the south end of the center dike along the east side about 100 meters north at about 10:30 a.m.  I also had good numbers of American Pipits and I am seeing more and more American Black Ducks.  The Bald Eagle was in his favorite tree next to the west side of the west lagoon where Hall Road would dead-end into the berm.

- Charlie DeWitt