Willow Run Airport Snowy Owls - 28 Dec 2017
Despite -8F temps I drove over to Willow Run Airport to look for Snowy Owls. I spotted a presumed male owl next to the fence along the south end of the service drive. It was on the hill of the landfill along the south side of the airport. It flew off as soon as I slowed down the car and disappeared over the top of the burn. It appeared to have something furry in its talons. I managed a few photos before it disappeared.
I spotted a second Snowy Owl out in the airport near the Tower.
A large flock of Snow Buntings appeared over the landfill to my left, and were joined by 6 Lapland Longspurs that flew across the front of the car as I turned around to leave.
A stop by Grace Lake (Visteon) yielded only 100 Ring-billed Gulls on the ice. No white-winged gulls were seen, or dark mantled gulls.
Willow Run Airport 2, Wayne, Michigan, US
Dec 28, 2017 8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Drove through south end of Willow Run Airport and saw owl within 5 minutes of arrival.
3 species
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) 2 On south side of airport next to large landfill burn. Flew off as I spotted it. Appeared to have something in its talons. Disappeared over top of burn. 2nd bird far off in airport proper near runway. This bird appears to be male, while second bird appeared to be female (heavily barred).
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) 6 flew across front of car as I was driving out along south end of airport. Dark sparrows with distinct cheek patches and flank stripes. Heading toward flock of Snow Buntings in landfill on south end.
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) 120 Large flock swirling around top of landfill. Close enough to see white wing patches and peach-colored bodies.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Dec 28, 2017 8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Drove through south end of Willow Run Airport and saw owl within 5 minutes of arrival.
3 species
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) 2 On south side of airport next to large landfill burn. Flew off as I spotted it. Appeared to have something in its talons. Disappeared over top of burn. 2nd bird far off in airport proper near runway. This bird appears to be male, while second bird appeared to be female (heavily barred).
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) 6 flew across front of car as I was driving out along south end of airport. Dark sparrows with distinct cheek patches and flank stripes. Heading toward flock of Snow Buntings in landfill on south end.
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) 120 Large flock swirling around top of landfill. Close enough to see white wing patches and peach-colored bodies.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
