Golden Eagle Tuesday

I just thought I would share a cool bird experience.   I go down the Muskegon River and see many Bald Eagles in the winter.  I often glass over immature Bald Eagles to see if any of them are a Golden Eagles, but to this point they never have been (though I have seen a couple at the WW this year).  However, today I only saw one dark eagle from a distance, and as I approached it, its behavior and posture were different than a typical immature bald.  Upon closer look, it was in fact a Golden Eagle !   It had a smaller bill, a golden nape, and feathers all the way to the talons.   Attached are some pics.     

- Kevin Feenstra 

February 20 Field Trip

 

A report with pictures of our Saturday field trip are posted on our homepage.

Swans and Ducks at the Muskegon Channel

Tundra Swans

Tundra Swan

Redhead

Redhead, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser

 Females: Redheads and Canvasback

- Charlie DeWitt

More Photos from Kevin

Yesterday I emailed Kevin Feenstra the identification information (posted below) of the Peregrine Falcon he photographed at the Wastewater (posted December 27).  In his reply he sent some recent pictures from along the Muskegon River.  Thanks, Kevin!

Until corrected I'm posting them as adult male Northern Cardinal, adult Cooper's Hawk, adult light-morph Rough-legged Hawk, adult Red-shouldered Hawk, adult female Red-breasted Merganser and adult Barred Owl.

- Ric 

Long-tailed Ducks on Lake Michigan

Curtis Dykstra has created two interesting videos of Long-tailed Ducks off Port Sheldon in Lake Michigan.  This one shows individuals up close and preening and this one shows hundreds diving in synchrony (with one remaining on the surface as a "look-out").

- Ric

Wisconsin's "Hilary" and an Indiana Female

Here is some correspondence regarding Charlie's Peregrine Falcon (posted below) and Kevin Feenstra's "Christmas Peregrine" (posted Dec. 27):

February 6, 5:46 pm:

Hello Charles,

I’ve been working with peregrines here in Wisconsin since 1987.  I also banded the peregrine you recently reported to the Bird Banding Lab.  This falcon is named “Hilary” and it was produced in 2017 at the UW-Milwaukee nest site here in Milwaukee, WI.  I banded it along with its 3 siblings on 5/26/2017.  It's always rewarding to learn that one of the falcons I banded has survived and even more rewarding when a positive band ID is made which you’ve accomplished!

Every year I produce a comprehensive report covering peregrine activity in the state and over the past few years have been including a section that covers peregrine encounters where band numbers are determined.  The reason I’m writing this afternoon is to ask if you might share any images you have of this falcon that show the bands and if I may have your permission to include your image(s) in my upcoming 2021 WI Peregrine Report?   I would of course provide proper photo credit, etc.

I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully including your images and story in this year’s report.

Sincerely,

Greg Septon

February 6, 8:05 pm:

Hi Greg, glad to help.  Attached are two  pictures.  You have my permission to use these pictures in your report or any other format you choose.

On 12-27-2020 there was a Peregrine Falcon seen at the Muskegon County Wastewater.  It had a band, black S over blue 17.  You can see pictures of it at the Muskegon County Nature Club's "Recent Sightings" web site.  I did not see the bird.  Ric Pedler (oakridge35@yahoo.com) is the administrator of the site.  He might be able to help you connect with the person that took the pictures if you are interested.

Charles DeWitt

February 6, 8:53 pm:

Hi Charles,

Thank you very much for the speedy response and for permission to use your great images -- this is much appreciated!  Also, when I banded this falcon it was one of those intermediate-sized eyasses and I couldn’t determine its sex.  From your image, however, and the size of the beak and feet, this looks to be a female.

Regarding the other peregrine you mentioned (black/blue S/17) -- this is a female that was produced in 2020 at the Nipsco Power Plant in Michigan City Indiana.

Thank-you again and I’ll make sure to add your email address to my list so you’ll get a copy of my 2021 report later this year.

All the best,

Greg

Ottawa County Peregrine Falcon

On January 8, 2021, Carol and I were birding on 128th Ave. just a little south of Port Sheldon Rd. when Carol spotted this Peregrine Falcon.  We were able to get close enough for me to get these pictures.

I sent the band information to the Feds and finally got the information back:

"Banded 05/26/2017 in Wisconsin.  Sex unknown.  Age of bird, too young to fly when banded in 2017.  Band #1687-34597 91N"

- Charlie DeWitt

Sunny Days

 

I spent some time at the Wastewater.  Can you find the Snowy Owl?

                                          

        There it is. Much easier to see when it's looking your way.

                               

                        Northern Harrier

                    A pair of Bald Eagles

- Don Neumann

Muskegon Channel

Black Scoter

Surf Scoters

White-winged Scoters

Long-tailed Ducks

Hooded Mergansers

It was a good morning at the Muskegon Channel.

- Charlie DeWitt