Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Ludington Harbor

  Yesterday morning as I exited my car in the parking lot for the South Breakwater of Ludington Harbor I noticed a couple of birders(Curt and Kathy Hofer) returning to their car who tipped me off to a Buff-breasted Sandpiper out on the pier.
  I spotted the bird on the first straight-away about halfway out toward the bend.  This morning the bird was in pretty much the same spot. It later took off toward the Loomis Street boat-launch.  Dave Dister was able to relocate the bird about 45 minutes later.  After I walked the pier I headed over to Loomis Street and was able to get some photos as it prowled the grass area oblivious to pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers.

Eating a grasshopper

  Here are some photos from the pier...

  Last weekend between the rain showers I was able to add a few first-of-year birds to the yardlist. 

Blackpoll Warbler (#95 for the year)

Magnolia (#96 for the year)

  Also added but not shown here were Tennessee Warbler and American Kestrel, which puts the yardlist at 98 for the year.

  Also visiting last weekend were a Cape May Warbler

  And a bald-headed Northern Cardinal.   This bird has been in this condition since July.

Going to be a cold winter for this guy.

One of several Red-eyed Vireos that have been hanging around the yard.

Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Flicker side-by-side

Flicker in better lighting later in the week

First Broad-winged Hawk of the fall