Nine human adults and three juveniles searched for birds at two locations this cold sunny morning. Rusty Blackbird was our "species of the day". We saw at least 18 along the south bank of the Maple River. In years past, hundreds were common early in the spring at this location, but since then their numbers have crashed worldwide, so these were very good birds to see!
Rusty Blackbirds by Charlie DeWitt
Other notable species among our 23 total were Wood Duck, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe and Bald Eagle. At 7:00, an hour before the trip began, Charlie DeWitt heard American Woodcock near the yellow gate at the end of Messinger Road.
Birding the "snipe field" west of DNR headquarters by Charlie DeWitt
Later we drove around the Muskegon Wastewater properties. Among our 33 bird species were seven common ducks, a lethargic Trumpeter Swan, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Common Redpoll, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird.
A pair of Buffleheads by Charlie DeWitt
