Northern Shoveler - Blue-winged Teal Hybrid

March 30 Email:

I believe the upper bird is a Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid. I saw it at the Wastewater on Saturday afternoon along the north shore of the west lagoon.

- Mike Boston

Thanks, Mike!  Isn't that an interesting animal.  I just found a European birding site that says this hybrid " ... occurs fairly often in North America where ... both species are common".  I've never seen one, but considering the number of shovelers that visit the Wastewater, I'm wondering if anyone else around here has?   - Ric

No Rusty Blackbirds This Morning

Following recent eBird reports of Rusty Blackbirds at DNR Headquarters, I birded near the little Maple River bridge this morning.  I found 23 species, including Eastern Phoebe and Northern Flicker (Year Birds #67 and #68 if I were counting), but no Rusty Blackbirds.

When an immature Bald Eagle flew over, 80-100 Mallard and a few Wood Duck panicked from the cornfield north of the bridge.  Dark-eyed Juncos were singing, apparently pairing up before heading north.  

- Ric

Woodcocks Back Tonight

At least 2 (probably 3, possibly 4) American Woodcocks were "peent-ing" and flying at the blueberry patch near my house this evening.  This was probably their first day back.

(We found 35 bird species on our field trip to the Upper Macatawa Wildlife Area yesterday morning.  More details on our homepage.)

- Ric

Ducks Up the River

March 19 Email:

I thought I would pass along a few pics.  These are from the Muskegon River around Newaygo in the last week.  Wood Ducks have been abundant since the storm.  

Have a great week! 

- Kevin Feenstra

Male Common Goldeneye

Female Wood Duck

Male Wood Duck

Is there any animal on the planet more beautiful than a male Wood Duck?  Great pictures as always, Kevin.  Thanks!  - Ric

Cranes Yes, Geese Maybe

Regarding Mike's post below, I drove out to Swanson at the Musketawa Trail this morning.  Except for two Canadas, no geese were visible from the road, although they may have been on the water on the far edge of the field north of the trail about a half mile west.  Getting older and lazier, I decided not to carry my scope that far to find out.

Thirteen Sandhill Cranes were visible from the road.  I wish Mike or Charlie could have been there to get less blurry pictures, but cranes are always good to see.  

They would have been a Year Species except Carol and I saw a pair north of the Maple Island bridge yesterday.  I still got #57 listening to the Song Sparrows singing along the trail this morning.

- Ric

Four Species of Geese Sunday

March 17 Email:

There is a large congregation of  waterfowl on Swanson Rd both north and south of the Musketawa Trail. Canada, Cackling, Greater White-fronted, and Snow Geese all present. They're a long way from the road, so bring your scopes.

- Mike Boston

Thanks, Mike.  (In past years similar flocks of waterfowl have stuck around at that location for several days.)  - Ric

Looking for Year Birds

I drove around the Wastewater this morning hoping to find a few Year Birds.  Red-winged Blackbirds (#53) sang all around the property including this guy serenading the garbage by the landfill.  

Three Common Grackles (#54) were at headquarters and an Eastern Meadowlark (#55) a mile east of there north of the big lagoon.  I couldn't find a vulture.

Today's 24 species included an immature Bald Eagle, five Horned Larks, two American Robins and five Snow Buntings.

- Ric

Harbor Island and Grand Haven Channel

 Common Grackle

 Redheads and Scaup

 Lesser Scaup

Red-backed Channel Wizzer

(Very uncommon this time of the year.)

- Charlie DeWitt

Muskegon County Wastewater This Morning

 Killdeer

Sandhill Cranes

Feller and I birded the Wastewater this morning from 8:30 till 10:00.  In spite of the rain we found some spring arrivals.  We had 24 species total.

- Charlie DeWitt

The "Boys" Are Back in Town

Red-winged Blackbird

Today there were 12 or more Red-winged Blackbirds on Harbor Island, Grand Haven.  

- Charlie DeWitt

Red-winged Blackbirds Reported

March 11 Email:

1st Red-winged Blackbirds here today  - David Holmberg

( David lives in the North Muskegon area. )