Seven County Year Birds in Less than Two Hours!

March has finally come, but February is still hanging on strong. Temperatures have been staying at 10 degrees, and the snow is still accumulating. Hard to believe than in a couple weeks we should start hearing woodcocks and phoebes! Today I decided to go and try to find the Long-tailed Duck and Red-necked Grebe at Tassel Park. Upon arriving, I saw that another birder had come jus before I. Even though I am birding "all the time", I rarely meet other birders. I just know so many names from all the sightings on Ebird, and never a face to the name. The birder was Elliot Nelson, one of the top birders in the county; ranked second for the year on Ebird. The first birds seen were Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Yellow-rumped Warbler; both rare for this time of year. The trip was already worth it, adding a couple year birds to the list that weren't even expected. After looking at the river for a few minutes, both targets were spotted. Unfortunately, the grebe kept his head down for the majority of the time. After talking a bit with Elliot, I thought that I would try for the American Wigeon and Northern Pintail on Grand River Drive. Again, the day was going easy. Both were there, including Gadwall. Easily, the most year birds I have had in one day this year! With spring coming (maybe), I only have two main targets left: Northern Shrike (Tried for 3 times already; Possible) and Rough-legged Hawk (Tried for once: Possible).

American Wigeon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892148665/
Northern Pintail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892181575/
Yellow-rumped Warbler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892678764/
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892465855/
Red-necked Grebe
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892730594/
Long-tailed Duck
http://www.flickr.com/photos/118311828@N08/12892774644/

Michigan Year List: 55 species

An Eventful Week and a Half

It all started with a Red-shouldered Hawk flying across my yard. Red-shouldered Hawks are rare at this time of year, but my area has been pretty consistent all year round.

Next came another rare county bird: Red-breasted Merganser at Versluis Lake. A journey to Holland State Park marked the first trip I have truly been able to use my new camera. Mergansers, Scoters, Canvasback, and other waterfowl were all in a small unfrozen section of the river/canal, which made for close up shots on some of the birds.

A random trip to the Wege Nature Center (not for birding), yielded female Purple Finches (Also rare for this year).

The climax of my recent birding though, has been a trip to East Hastings, MI. The weather was in the 30's, but it was raining out. After a long, pothole full, one hour, drive, to a private residence, my target life bird, a code 2, was added to the list; Long-eared Owl. The owner of the land, Doug Klein, and I, circle the tree the bird was in for about 15 minutes without seeing the bird we knew was in there. When Kevin Thomas showed up he spotted it right away! Felt pretty stupid, but it didn't matter. Unfortunately, because of the amount of rain coming down, I thought it would be wise not to take out the new camera. Looking forward to spring!

Year List: 48 species

Fourth Times Charm

This winter has been a huge winter for Snowy Owls. At my local airport (Gerald R. Ford Int.) Snowies have been found frequently, with even 3 individuals at the same time! I have made three trips, trying to get them on my year list, but have failed each time. Today, we had some time in between church and going to see my grandparents, so my dad was kind enough to make a quick stop at the airport. After ten minutes of searching by car, we drove into a parking lot to get a better view of the "tundra". On the way out of the parking lot, we saw a small Snowy Owl behind us on the light. We had passed by, without even realizing it!! The worst part, is that I didn't have my new camera with me!

All these photos are from iPhone+Binoculars. Only the second Snowy I have ever seen.

Year List: 40 species

Recent Happenings

This year I have been a bit slow on getting my year list up. Although, I have been able to get a few rare birds for Kent County; White-winged Scoter (Lifer), Surf Scoter, and Hermit Thrush (Rare at this time of year).

 White-winged Scoter at Versluis Lake

 Surf Scoter also at Versluis Lake

 Bald Eagles

My parents surprised me Big Time with a very (very) early birthday gift!!! Canon EOS Rebel T2i with a 300 mm lens!!! Safe to say, I have the best parents. I haven't been able to use it much yet (Especially with this single-digit weather we've been having), but once the temperature gets a little higher, I will be using it every day!!!

2014 Year List: 39 species

Birding Update

I've been pretty busy with school and work, but here are a few sightings from when I was able to get out the past couple months:

Brief glimpse of a few Snow Buntings at Saugatuck Dunes on October 24.

Surf Scoter at Reed's Lake, MI on November 2. (Rare for Kent Co.)

Rufous Hummingbird in Kentwood, MI on November 17. (Lifer and rare for the state) Sorry for the poor quality of the photos; they are taken through my binoculars with an IPhone.

Tundra Swan at Reed's Lake on November 21. (Haven't had good luck finding this species)

And finally, Purple Sandpiper at Pere Marquette Park on November 30. (Lifer and rare for the state)

I will try to post "updates" more frequently and elaborate on the sightings in the future.

171 species for Kent Co., MI this year, makes my year total to 233 species.

Birding Update

So, I haven't posted anything in a little while (a few months!), so here is an update of what birding I have done in the past months. On June 3rd, I assisted in leading a birding trip for the Cerulean Warbler Weekend. We had a very small group, but we managed to find over 80 species. The trip went through birding spots throughout Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera. Here is a list of the highlights: Ring-necked Pheasant (Allegan SGA), Ruffed Grouse (Lifer! Allegan SGA), Red-shouldered Hawk (On nest, Barry County), Grasshopper Sparrow (Lifer! Allegan SGA), Dickcissel (Allegan SGA), Bobolink (Allegan SGA), Cliff Swallow (Allegan Dam), Sedge Wren (Lifer! Allegan SGA), Black-billed Cuckoo (Allegan SGA), Upland Sandpiper (Allegan SGA), Northern Harrier (Allegan SGA), Cerulean Warbler (Lifer! Only heard, Barry SGA), Orchard Oriole (Allegan SGA).

Random sightings throughout the past months:
A few trips to the Cannonsburg SGA in late June, yielded, Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and Red-headed Woodpecker.
Caspian Terns at Versluis Lake in late summer.
A first, for me, for Michigan, I found a Forster's Tern at Grand Haven SP, in August. (Pictures to be added)
Peregrine Falcon in downtown Chicago.
A trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, gave me Trumpeter Swan, Common Raven, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, and Osprey.
Olive-sided Flycatcher at Huff Park.
American Golden Plovers at the Caledonia Sewage Ponds. (Pictures to be added)
Black-throated Blue Warbler and Canada Warbler, on a trail near my house.
And another Trumpeter Swan at the Baker Sanctuary, where I lead nature walks for Cranefest.

My Year list so far is now at 225 species.

-Travis Mangione