Wearing masks and social-distancing, eight of us birded three locations this morning. Our group found some good birds, but three of the more remarkable species were not seen by everyone.
Long before the trip began, Charlie heard an Eastern Screech Owl near the east end of the Muskegon Channel. Later in the same area we found eight other species including Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted and Common Merganser, and Herring and Ring-billed Gull (some with their undersides beautifully lighted by the morning sunrise).
Sunrise by Carol Cooper
At the south breakwall of Pere Marquette Park we missed some White-winged Scoters reported soon after we left. We did see eight species including Greater Scaup, Redhead, Long-tailed Duck and Bald Eagle.
After driving to Lake Harbor Park, we walked the trail along the Mona Lake Channel out to Lake Michigan.
Mona Lake Channel birders by Carol Cooper
Along the way we found 11 bird species including Pileated Woodpecker and our best view of Long-tailed Ducks.
Long-tailed Ducks by Charlie DeWitt
Carol saw an American Robin on the way to Black Lake Park, our final destination. Our group found eight species there, none out of the ordinary, and dozens of ice fishermen on the lake. A nice morning outing despite the cold weather and Covid precautions!
