Evening Grosbeaks This Afternoon

Clark Ganson phoned this afternoon to report several Evening Grosbeaks visiting his feeder at 1892 Crestwood Lane in Norton Shores.  It's okay with Clark and Pat for people to look.  There's a parking area in front of their house from which you can easily see the front yard feeders from your car.

Carol and I were there from 3:30-4:00 and saw at least a dozen.

- Ric

Camo Ruddy and Backyard Merlin

October 21 Email:

The last time I sent you a picture (posted below), I didn't explain it.  A Ruddy Duck at the Wastewater was diving within the green slime area and came up with this slime over it.  So I called it "camo ruddy".  Here's a better picture.  -Phil Willemstein

Thanks for the update, Phil.  We have bunches of Pine Siskins at our feeder today.  This afternoon Carol looked out the kitchen window and noticed this Merlin at the top of a tree.  Good yard birds!  - Ric

This and That

Carol Cooper emailed Oct. 19:  "Just got a report that Enforcer, Muskegon's male Piping Plover for the last three seasons, was spotted August 29 and September 3 at Matagorda Beach in Texas."

Phil Willemstein emailed Oct. 19:  "Sending you a couple of things I happened upon at the Wastewater this week end."

The first "things" are female and male Northern Shovelers.  The second "thing" appears to be a Ruddy Duck on a bad hair day, but other opinions will be appreciated.  On Monday afternoon while again looking unsuccessfully for a hawk migration (only 2 migrating Red-tailed Hawks), I did see a pair of Common Ravens "crawking" and flying south high over the Muskegon Channel.  - Ric

And here's that photo of the Western Screech-owl that Andy told me about (discussed on Saturday's field trip.)  It landed on the co-pilot's seat of an airplane dropping water on a California wild fire.  Full story here.

Greater White-fronted Geese on Tuesday

October 13 Email:

I was encouraged by Rick Brigham to post a sighting I had tonight at the Muskegon Wastewater to the Muskegon Nature Club.  I saw approximately 13 Greater White-fronted Geese at around 6:30-6:45 p.m. in a field located just south of the astronomy observatory.  I have attached photos.  On the chance these are relocated, I hope members of your club might enjoy seeing these geese. - Joseph Mallot

Greater White-fronted and Canada Geese

Thanks, Joseph.  I hope the geese stick around awhile so that members of our club and others may see them.  - Ric

Saturday Morning at Black Lake Park

Lots of color this sunny-to-cloudy morning with gun shots booming often south of the lake.

Notable among the 19 bird species were Sandhill Crane, Osprey (Year Bird 151 if I were counting) Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush (at least 3), Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow.

White-crowned Sparrow

Hermit Thrush

A hunter's animated decoy at the south end of the lake attracted 6 Mallards which were about to land when they apparently smelled a rat.  They swerved up and away, followed by the booming; one dropped into the water and was retrieved by a black dog.  So the hunter got 1 and eBird got 5. 

- Ric

Muskegon Channel

This morning's strong west winds were not the best for "pushing" migrating hawks along the shore, but I spent a couple hours "hawkwatching" at the Muskegon Channel anyway.  Most of today's migrants were Blue Jays (250). 

The Lake Express at 10:30

Other birds included 5 migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks, 3 Red-tailed Hawks (2 migrating; 1 playing in the wind north of the channel), 1 migrating Broad-winged Hawk (harrassing a redtail), and several among the other 16 species apparently migrating (Turkey Vultures, European Starlings, other small birds, Double-crested Cormorants, and American Crows).

- Ric

Black Lake Park

Swamp Sparrow

Great Blue Heron

Palm Warbler

Osprey

Osprey 

with lunch

Sandhill Cranes

The Cranes were doing a little dance.

                                       

Here are some pictures from Black Lake Park this morning.  I didn't keep a list.  I was out for a quick walk to check on the fall colors.

- Charlie DeWitt