Ten of us birded the newly renovated Ottawa Sands County Park this morning. Conditions were cool and cloudy, almost all of our walkways were paved, and we counted 28 bird species before leaving.
Of note were various ducks (American Wigeon and Black Duck, Redhead, Ring-necked and both merganser species), Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-headed Woodpecker (adult and juvenile), and American Tree Sparrow.
November 16 Field Trip
Ottawa Dunes County Park
Meet on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to the park a mile west of Ferrysburg on the south side of Northshore Drive. Parking is available across the street at Coast Guard Park.
We will walk the woods and trails west of Ottawa Sands Lake looking for whatever birds we can find. The trip will end around noon.
November 19 Program
"Birds of Paradise of New Guinea"
Doug Klein
Doug Klein became enamored of the many Birds of Paradise from reading about them and watching videos of them in their jungle haunts on the island of New Guinea. He will introduce these beautiful birds to us, and the scientists who have studied them, through several professionally-made videos.
Doug has been birding since he was 17 years old. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and was a mechanical engineer during his working life, but has since retired. He's the president of the Barry County Bird Club and leads their field trips. Doug lives in Hastings.
Tuesday, Novenber 19, 2024, Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven. Visiting time: 6:00-6:30 p.m. Program: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Gull Program
It was previously posted that Dr. Gordon Atkins would be presenting a program about gulls at the Muskegon Clunty Resource Recovery Center administration building at noon on Friday, November 15, 2024. Before heading out there for the program, you should contact Beth (glenabeth@gmail.com) to make sure the program is still on.
Two Christmas Bird Counts in December
The City of Muskegon Christmas Bird Count will be conducted on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Meet one of the three groups at 8:00 a.m.
South Group -- the Anchor Chiropractic parking lot, Green Street at Seaway Drive.
Leaders: Bonnie Kot and Dave Herdegen
Central Group -- the south parking lot of the Veteran's Memorial Causeway.
Leader: Steve Minard
North Group -- west end of the Snug Harbor parking lot, Muskegon State Park.
Leader: Ken Sherburn
All counts involve some driving between locations with the actual counting conducted on foot, so be sure to dress for the weather. If you are new to participating in this CBC, you might contact Ric Pedler beforehand.
Many of the participants meet for lunch at noon at the Cherokee Restaurant, 1971 W. Sherman Blvd. The count basically ends at noon, but some may continue to census birds afterward at other locations within the CBC circle (15-mile diameter centered in downtown Muskegon).
The Muskegon Wastewater CBC will be Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Meet coordinator Brian Johnson at 8:00 a.m. in the headquarters parking lot of the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, 698 N. Maple Island Road.
The 15-mile-diameter Wastewater CBC circle is centered on the intersection of White and Ravenna Roads. Participants are assigned sectors within the circle and count primarily from their cars. Dress for the weather, of course.
If there's a lunch meeting of participants, Brian will let you know that morning.