Antrim Co. Ospreys - 19 July 2007

This past weekend Robin and I took a short trip to the Grass River Natural Area in southern Antrim Co., MI. A walk through the tamarack and spruce bog yielded a few Alder Flycatchers, Cedar Waxwings, and a Common Yellowthroat along with a Blue-headed Vireo in the parking lot.

Digiscoping was a challenge due to the large numbers of people on the narrow boardwalk near the Clam River. Still, it was a lovely morning to be out.

Along the Alden Highway between the NA and the city of Alden we spotted an Osprey perching on the overhead powerlines. Just a short ways past the bird we spotted a nest with (2) fledglings. Instead of stopping, we continued on and had lunch in Alden. However, on the way back we stopped and got some amazing looks at Ma and the youngsters, who appeared ready to leave the nest. We were careful to keep ourselves concealed, and the little ones paid no attention to us. After a few pics, we moved on.

The only other notable highlight from the weekend was a stop at the Elk Rapids Sewage Ponds on the Cairn Highway just east of the city of Elk Rapids. Several Least Sandpipers, a Solitary Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs were present along the near pond. A mother Wood Duck with 3-4 chicks swam in the middle of the pond.