In-Coming Birds
Moderator: Gillespie
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
In-Coming Birds
We've had fun in the past with posting recent bird sightings during spring migration. In the past few weeks, the Sand-hill Cranes, Kestrels, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds have appeared. Kestrel nesting boxes at Little Sand Bay and Barney's Lake have been cleaned and readied for occupancy. The Redheads dominated the harbor ducks this winter but Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Hooded and Common Mergansers are present. Naturally, the Bald Eagles are a treat at all stages of development. This morning, I had a great look at a Ruby-crowned Kinglet foraging along the east side shoreline.
Keep those sightings coming and have fun! Each morning brings new songs!
Keep those sightings coming and have fun! Each morning brings new songs!
McGrass
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
Thanks for the suggestion, Kirk. It would be good to tie in some bird surveys to habitat management work. I'll discuss this with the birding experts. Nancy Seefelt is coming this week to place the acoustical monitors along with ultrasonic monitors for bats. Some may know this but I learned that many songbirds migrate at night for safety. Woodcock do this. These sensors will pick up the species that flew by at night as the birds/bats make little chipping sounds in flight. It is then fed into computer software and it identifies the bird traveling overhead. Nancy has great radar images of spring migration and the pulses of birds that appear traveling to the islands. She is scheduled to do a mist net demonstration over the Warblers on the Water Memorial Weekend events.
Two Woodcock kicked up at Cable's Bay and one was run over on Enoch Hill recently. I saw 4 Flickers at Gull Harbor this morning along with Red-wing Blackbirds and the eagle. Brown Creepers have shown up and are spiraling up and down mature oaks and maples. I have 5 that I am watching on an old maple as I write this. Also had a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets all afternoon yesterday working the woods. Two Sandhill Cranes in Anthony Greene's field today.
Keep looking up and sideways!
Two Woodcock kicked up at Cable's Bay and one was run over on Enoch Hill recently. I saw 4 Flickers at Gull Harbor this morning along with Red-wing Blackbirds and the eagle. Brown Creepers have shown up and are spiraling up and down mature oaks and maples. I have 5 that I am watching on an old maple as I write this. Also had a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets all afternoon yesterday working the woods. Two Sandhill Cranes in Anthony Greene's field today.
Keep looking up and sideways!
McGrass
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- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:06 pm
- Location: Beaver Island, Kalamazoo, Fripp Island, SC
Good to hear the fly way skies are full, day and night. Unbelievable how far bird spotting technology has come with sonic and audible night vision. Thanks so much for all you do in promoting birding and other ecological efforts on Beaver Island. It is recognized and appreciated by many and more importantly will be for the generations who follow.
Slangevar - Kirk
Slangevar - Kirk
Kirk
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- Location: Beaver Island
Birds
Jacque LaFreniere reports that loons are on Lake G., Font, and Fox.
Dark-eyed Juncos, Purple Finches mixed in with a flock of Am. Goldfinches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers sighted today.
Dark-eyed Juncos, Purple Finches mixed in with a flock of Am. Goldfinches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers sighted today.
McGrass
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
Birds
I woke up this morning to a Belted Kingfisher on the deck railing and more Am.Tree Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers seen. Loons heard calling from Lake Michigan. During a walk along the east side, I saw my first Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan, and a pair of Am. Wigeons. Also noted was an Eastern Phoebe busy doing its flycatcher activity and Eastern Wood-Pewees heard. I took a decent photo of a Merlin also birding.
Great weather to get outside and enjoy the spring!
Great weather to get outside and enjoy the spring!
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
Birds
Osprey sighted at Green's Lake yesterday and two Northern Harriers + 4 Snipes at Gull Harbor this a.m.
McGrass
Ospreys on the nest
Yesterday, I got some pictures and video of the osprey pair on the microwave tower as they were preparing the nest.
Joe Moore
Joe Moore
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- Location: Beaver Island
Owls
Hi Audrey,
While the mainland did see a few Snowy Owls, the eruptions were not as prominent as other years. The Upper Peninsula, Cheboygan, and Grand Traverse had a few reported. No one reported seeing any Snowy Owls this year on the island. I follow a website that does weekly posts which I will pass along for your use next fall.
While the mainland did see a few Snowy Owls, the eruptions were not as prominent as other years. The Upper Peninsula, Cheboygan, and Grand Traverse had a few reported. No one reported seeing any Snowy Owls this year on the island. I follow a website that does weekly posts which I will pass along for your use next fall.
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- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
In addition to the Beaver Island Birding Trail advertisement, this site may be of interest to others interested in the bird world.
http://www.birdingwire.com
http://www.birdingwire.com
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
Birds
One Snowy Owl to report from last winter-Tony and Ann did see a Snowy Owl at the end of the township airport! Yesterday, Bluebirds were checking out the Kestrel box at LSB and a Northern Harrier was working the surrounding fields. Two Caspian Terns were on the Charlevoix Airport runway and should be soon headed to their preferred destination-the Beaver Isles. Red-eyed Vireos are back too!
McGrass
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- Posts: 638
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
- Location: Beaver Island