10/31/2017

    

   Halloween can be tough when lawn decorations try to assert their dominance.  Despite their aggressive stance Roscoe can see right through them.

Birds and Buck

   On a morning walk on the south breakwater at Ludington Harbor there were 2 lingering Dunlin.

Dunlin

   I was unable to photograph a fly-by Snow Bunting out on the pier but later encountered a couple in a gated area of my worksite.

Snow Bunting

   Also at work were the following.....

Horned Grebe

  There were 6 immature Bald Eagles looking for fish around the pond and one was extremely cooperative.

     A crop of its feet reveal a FWS band.  But with only 3 digits visible there is probably not enough info to submit the sighting.

last three digit 643

   Within the several square mile enclosed area a few deer find their way into a safe haven.  This guy sports the largest rack that I've seen out there in four falls that I've worked there. 

12 pointer

Orange-crowned Warbler - Check

   I keep an unwritten hitlist of birds that I expect to add to my yardlist.  I did this for a while at my old house until I ran out of 'expecteds' while the new birds kept coming.  Today I achieved the dual-goal of crossing Orange-crowned Warbler off of the hitlist and reaching 100 yardbirds for the year.

100th yardbird species for the year, 113 all-time

Fueling up for migration

Getting a better angle 

   Updated Hitlist - Cedar Waxwing, Indigo Bunting, Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Red-necked Phalarope Ludington 10/19/2017

  Early this afternoon Van Burmeister found a Red-necked Phalarope just outside the south breakwater at Ludington Harbor.  I made it out there around 4 pm and was able to get some photos.

Late Date Birds 10/16/2017

 Immediately after I stepped out on the deck this afternoon I spotted a Blue-headed Vireo in one of my oak trees.  Seconds later a Black-throated Green Warbler showed up a bit farther away.  From data compiled by Dave Dister they both appear to be late fall dates for the Mason County.  Previous date for the Blue-headed Vireo was 10/9/2006 and 10/13/2015 for the Black-throated Green.