Saturday, July 19, 2014

Montague Field Trip


This morning Feller led seven of us northeast of Montague around the Henderson Lake Nature Center and the Clear Springs Preserve where we recorded 14 and 17 species respectively.

Ken scans the south end of Henderson Lake.


We had several sightings of Green Heron here, plus a Least Bittern.  There were fewer birds along the north side probably due to dozens of frisbee competitors, many of them decked out professionally.


They did not frighten this pair of "wood ducks" which are ...



... according to Sibley, plastic.

Acadian Flycatchers sang at Clear Springs.  The fledgling of one begged its parent for food.  We also heard and saw at least one Yellow-throated Vireo.

Otherwise we enjoyed everyday summer birds this beautiful summer morning and didn't have enough time to bird Whitehall as had been planned.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Muskegon Lake and White Lake Surveys


July 15 Email to the Muskegon County Nature Club:

I have been working on a project with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Council, the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and many other local and community groups to conduct research on Muskegon Lake and White Lake and the way they are perceived by both residents and visitors. The research will be used to guide plans and investments in Muskegon County for the future.

Key to this work is getting the broadest possible cross-section of participants from Muskegon County. I am reaching out to several local organizations like yours in hopes of connecting with those individuals with a unique perspective on these issues. We have created two online surveys to make it as easy as possible for individuals to participate (click below).

Ann Tisdale
Research Associate
Traverse City, MI.

The Muskegon Lake Survey

The White Lake Survey