Greater White-fronted Geese at Ludington State Park

   Yesterday Benjamin and Levi Wilson (the future of Mason County birding), found three Greater White-fronted Geese among a flock of Canada Geese in the Big Sable River across from the office at Ludington State Park.

  Today the geese were in the same location on a rare sunny winter day in Mason County.

  Meanwhile in my yard the Sharp-shinned Hawk still visits daily and poses for photos when he's not eating someone.

  

Snow Angel of Death

    Late this morning the Sharp-shinned Hawk that has taken up residence in my neighborhood this winter,  continued its assault on the smaller birds at my feeders.  I saw it as it plunged to the ground with its next meal in its talons.  It was too close to get a photo with my large lens but after it/they flew off I went outside to see if any feathers from the victim were left behind to aid in its identification.  No feathers were found but hawk left quite an impression in the snow.

   The tail drag impression was a result of its braking maneuver when it landed.

Returning to the Scene of the Crime

Looks guilty to me

   The Sharp-shinned Hawk that is being sought for questioning in the abduction and suspected killing and possible dismemberment of a Goldfinch on Saturday was caught on camera by a surveillance unit this afternoon.  The Goldfinch's friends and family want answers about what the Sharpie has characterized as a casual lunch date.  Although speculation of whether a crime has actually occurred is in dispute because no body has been found.

Evidence of another potential crime hangs from its bill

Unaware he's being watched he brazenly appears to be searching for another victim

Sharpie striking its most innocent pose yet.

  Just for fun I include a crop of the top photo that shows my house reflected in the bird's eye

The 'X' shows my approximate location

Have you seen this Bird?

Police sketch of the abduction suspect

  This afternoon while I was texting a family member from the computer room/office that overlooks my front yard, I saw the Goldfinches and Pine Siskins scatter from their positions at the birdfeeders.  One of the Goldfinches glanced off the window less than two feet in front of me.  In a panic it fluttered its wings while it tried to land on the 3/4" wide window ledge.  Before it could get its balance a Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped in and abruptly changed both of their lunch plans. The speed and accuracy of the abduction maneuver was amazing. and the fact that it happened just inches from my face left me repeating Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! as I grabbed my camera and boots and ran out the front door to try to get some photos.  No such luck as the midday meal was taken to a secluded location. 
    Must not be much meat on a goldfinch because 2 hours later the suspected perp flew by with a Junco.

Pine Siskins Invasion 1/12/2018

   In mid-December I noticed the first Pine Siskin of the winter at one of my feeders.  Since then I've seen them nearly everyday  Up until last Friday when I saw 16 of them, my high count for the season had been 6.  Then Thursday of this week when 50 degree temperatures melted most of the snow, the number of Pine Siskins surged to 55.  Then Friday the temperatures cooled back into the teens but the Siskins kept on coming.  The most that I was able to count by scanning with binoculars was 110.

  With the camera however I was able to get a wide angle shot from which I was able to get a count of  165 Pine Siskins as well as 77 Goldfinches.  To ensure that I didn't double count, once I downloaded the photo I marked each Siskin with a green dot and the Goldfinches with a yellow dot.

Crop of the Wide Angle shot from which the count was made.

  Shortly thereafter I took a series of 5 slightly telephoto shots that revealed a similar count of 162 Siskins and 82 Goldfinches,

   Also on Friday I had a single female Purple Finch visit the birdbath but not the feeders.

   Back on Monday the sun came out for the first time in weeks and provided decent lighting for a Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll Yard Bird #115

   Had a single Common Redpoll on the driveway around noon today, which became yardbird #115.  It also was the 102nd species seen in the yard this year.

 Below is a photo of a Snowy Owl that was one of four seen on Friday 12/22 on the upper reservoir road at my work.

Ludington CBC 12/16/2017