Pelicans and So Much More 4/23/2022

 

  A busy bird day was expected Saturday with southerly winds aiding migration in the preceding overnight. While searching for new arrivals in the front yard I noticed two huge white birds over the lake about to disappear behind the neighbor's trees.  I took off in a sprint to the backyard waterfront and was able to get a few photos of a pair of American White Pelicans meandering southward. They are the 101st species that I've seen from home so far this year.  Last year I didn't hit 100 until May 2.

  Other new arrivals for the year were

Palm Warbler

Bank Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

  Also a couple of House Wrens were heard and seen but wouldn't pose for the camera. They brought my yard total for the year to 104.  As I was processing the images in the late afternoon I received a text from Brian Brosky about a Cattle Egret found by Brendan Klick in Grant Twp.  Needing that bird for my Mason County list I grabbed the camera and headed out to Townline Rd where the egret was of course, hanging out with cattle.

  After locating and photographing the bird, I checked the Mason-Manistee-Oceana County Bird Chat on Discord and saw that Brendan Klick also found a Wilson's Phalarope just a mile south of the egret on Beyer Rd.  I was there within a couple minutes and was able to get some distant shots of the phalarope.

  The phalarope is also a first for me in the county. My county list is at 252.

Sparrowy with a Chance of Warblers 4/27/2021

 

   Last night the BirdCast migration map forecast that strong southwest winds would nudge up to 300 million birds along on their trek northward.  The live migration map showed that according to the Doppler Radar Network over 500 million birds were airborne just before 1:00 AM ET.  Exceeds expections, indeed.

   Like a kid in anticipation of Christmas, I went to bed a little early but had a hard time falling asleep and woke up well before sunrise.  When I went out after daybreak the first thing that I noticed were the dozens of Chipping Sparrows scattered all over my lawn.  My high count was 38.

  Next I added a couple of warblers to the year list.  Palm Warbler

...and Black Throated Green

Other 'first of the year' birds were  Red-headed Woodpecker...

...and Bank Swallow

Last but not least I added a Swamp Sparrow to the all-time yard list which is now at 158.

Better Fish in Better Light 5/3/2020

     It looked like a hand-off was going to take place right in front of me but the fish-handler continued forward with the keeper.

    At least this eagle had a somewhat fresher fish than the shredded mess that Saturday's eagle was carrying.  But on closer inspection this fish also looks like it's past its best if used by date.

   Added three more birds to the yard list.

Baltimore Oriole #90

Bank Swallow #91

Great Blue Heron #92

Migratory Bird Count - Riverton Twp. 5/12/2018

   For the second year in a row I covered the whole of Riverton Township during the Mason County Spring Migratory Bird Count.  Dave Dister tipped me off on Blue-winged Warblers in my count area.  I had scouted the area during the mid-week but was unable to find them.  Fortunately today was a different story.  I heard 3 singing males and was able to secure some properly lit photos of one of them.

   Another good bird was this Hooded Warbler (1st Spring Female?).

   Baltimore Orioles were seen in several locations.

   Other birds were....

Vesper Sparrow

Eastern Bluebird

Tree Swallow

Green Heron

Yellow-throated Vireo

Female Buffleheads. The one on the right appears to be eating a waterbug.

Solitary Sandpiper, alone with its reflection.

Sandhill Cranes

Bobolink

Gray Catbird

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Black and White Warbler

Brown Thrasher

Yellow-rumped Warbler

American Redstart

Red-eyed Vireo

Yellow Warbler

Eastern Kingbird

   Back at my house, I added a few more species during an afternoon feeder watch.

Red-headed Woodpecker

Lincoln's Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

White-Crowned Sparrow

I ended my Riverton survey with 66 species and was able to add another 7 in my yard when I got home.