Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Migrating Fox Squirrel
Note: Even though this is not a bird, it was observed while birding and I also believe it is an interesting story. Therefore, I am posting it.
Besides the Mississippi Kite (see previous post) we had on September 20, 2009, we also had this strange sight...a "migrating Fox Squirrel." This poor chap apparent either fell into the water somehow or purposely deCided to swim the channel at the boat launch at Lake Erie Metropark.
This is the third time in my 19 years counting hawks here, where I have seen a Fox Squirrel do this. This is the second time this season. All three have made it across unscathed. This one individual however, had issues and those of us who were watching, were wonding if this poor guy would make it.
He had to swim through weeds, scum and dodge boats. He did finallly make it to our side of the river. He was no doubt exhausted, hypothermic and asperated some water. Who knows how long he was actually in the river? When he climbed out of the water, he sat on the ground for almost an hour as he "recovered."
After regaining his bearings, he reportedly climbed up a tree. Maybe he learned his lesson and won't try his Gertrude Ederle immitation again. For those of you who do not know who Gertrude is, she was the first woman to swim the 21 miles across the English Channel August 6, 1926, when she was just 19-year-old. I learned that watching Jeapardy!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Mississippi Kite. Wayne County, Michigan.
NOTE: The following photo is courtesy of Darlene Friedman. Thank you Darlene for so kindly allowing me to use your photo of this awesome raptor for this blog entry.
On Sunday, September 20, 2009, those of of who were at the Detroit River Hawk Watch (formerly Southestern Michigan Raptor Research)was rewarded with a very rare sighting of a fall Mississippi Kite. This is the second record of this species for this hawk watch. I recorded the first one on September 7, 1997.
The day started out fairly slow, which is typical for the morning. Roughly 30+ people were anxiously waiting and hoping for big kettles of Broad-winged Hawks to materialize.
As the morning waged on, small groups of Broad-winged Hawks could be seen rising above the tree tops on the other side of the Detroit River. Sharp-shinned Hawks would pass one at a time. Still, no big groups of hawks could be found and some (including myself) were getting antsy.
Around 11:30am, I had to answer the call of nature...which I dreaded, because once you leave the site, something rare or uncommon is assurendly to pass by and you will miss it! The running joke is, that whoever leaves, is the "sacrificial birder". And it was gonna be my turn--or was it?
As I made my way to the rest room, I ran into my buddy Mike Kielb. We chatted a few moments and I hurried on to my destination--the call of nature was getting much louder. middle age is a pain! As I was almost into the restroom building, some several yards away from the count site, I heard Mike yell out to me in an excited voice,"Jeff, look behind you"
As I looked to my right, I was shocked to see a Mississippi Kite coming straight at me. It stopped a few times to flap and circle...glide a bit more and ended up circling right above me at tree top level! I could have hit the bird with a rock it was so low. This was a good thing, seeing I left my binoculars on the picnic table at the count site. unfortunately, my camera was there as well. Go figure! Nonetheless, I got awesome views of this magnificient raptor. killer looks in fact!
As I said earlier, this is the second ever Mississippi Kite at this hawk watch and I was fortunate to be able to see both of them.
This was a state bid for many of the observers on hand. For many others, it was a lifer! This was my fifth time seeing this species in the state.
Twenty seven days prior to this, I saw my first Swallow-tailed Kite for Michigan. This bird was in Chelsea near the property of the Cassidy Lake Corrections Facility. Not too shabby getting two kite species for the state in the same season!
Thanks again to Darlene for allowing me to use her pictures, since I was unable to photograph the bird myself. That will teach me to carry my camera and bins with me at all times...even on the way to the restroom. Sure, I will probably get strange looks holding a camera in the bathroom, but I'll risk it.
On Sunday, September 20, 2009, those of of who were at the Detroit River Hawk Watch (formerly Southestern Michigan Raptor Research)was rewarded with a very rare sighting of a fall Mississippi Kite. This is the second record of this species for this hawk watch. I recorded the first one on September 7, 1997.
The day started out fairly slow, which is typical for the morning. Roughly 30+ people were anxiously waiting and hoping for big kettles of Broad-winged Hawks to materialize.
As the morning waged on, small groups of Broad-winged Hawks could be seen rising above the tree tops on the other side of the Detroit River. Sharp-shinned Hawks would pass one at a time. Still, no big groups of hawks could be found and some (including myself) were getting antsy.
Around 11:30am, I had to answer the call of nature...which I dreaded, because once you leave the site, something rare or uncommon is assurendly to pass by and you will miss it! The running joke is, that whoever leaves, is the "sacrificial birder". And it was gonna be my turn--or was it?
As I made my way to the rest room, I ran into my buddy Mike Kielb. We chatted a few moments and I hurried on to my destination--the call of nature was getting much louder. middle age is a pain! As I was almost into the restroom building, some several yards away from the count site, I heard Mike yell out to me in an excited voice,"Jeff, look behind you"
As I looked to my right, I was shocked to see a Mississippi Kite coming straight at me. It stopped a few times to flap and circle...glide a bit more and ended up circling right above me at tree top level! I could have hit the bird with a rock it was so low. This was a good thing, seeing I left my binoculars on the picnic table at the count site. unfortunately, my camera was there as well. Go figure! Nonetheless, I got awesome views of this magnificient raptor. killer looks in fact!
As I said earlier, this is the second ever Mississippi Kite at this hawk watch and I was fortunate to be able to see both of them.
This was a state bid for many of the observers on hand. For many others, it was a lifer! This was my fifth time seeing this species in the state.
Twenty seven days prior to this, I saw my first Swallow-tailed Kite for Michigan. This bird was in Chelsea near the property of the Cassidy Lake Corrections Facility. Not too shabby getting two kite species for the state in the same season!
Thanks again to Darlene for allowing me to use her pictures, since I was unable to photograph the bird myself. That will teach me to carry my camera and bins with me at all times...even on the way to the restroom. Sure, I will probably get strange looks holding a camera in the bathroom, but I'll risk it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN THE U.P.
My friends, Scott Jennex, Susan Hornung, Charlene Brennan and myself, made a weekend trip to the U.P. for some marathon birding. We stopped at various locations, mostly on the "western' side. Highlights birding wise include (in no particular order): Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Marbled Godwit, Black-backed Woodpecker, Great Gray Owl, and Swainson's Hawk. The best mammal sighting was a Fisher.
Below are just a few images from the trip.I have many more images, but I am having some computer issues and I am unable to upload them for some reason. Until I can fix the computer glitch, I am posting what I am able at this time.
Pileated Woodpecker
Sanderling
Semipalmated Plover
Pictured Rocks
Possible Wolf Print
Pesheke River
Sunrise in Marquette.
Trumpeter Swans at Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Pileated Woodpecker at Pictured Rocks.
waterfall at Pictured Rocks.
Below are just a few images from the trip.I have many more images, but I am having some computer issues and I am unable to upload them for some reason. Until I can fix the computer glitch, I am posting what I am able at this time.
Pileated Woodpecker
Sanderling
Semipalmated Plover
Pictured Rocks
Possible Wolf Print
Pesheke River
Sunrise in Marquette.
Trumpeter Swans at Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Pileated Woodpecker at Pictured Rocks.
waterfall at Pictured Rocks.
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