On Territory! - 28 Feb 2021
Dark skies and a steady rain was not what I was hoping to wake up to, so my plan for biking Pt. Mouillee had to be altered. I decided I would drive down to Erie Marsh and walk the dikes. Luckily, the rain slowed to a slight mist by the time I reached the Summit Rd exit.
A pair of Tundra Swans were swimming in a puddle among a dozen Mallard and 2 dozen Canada Geese as I drove past freshly-thawed corn fields. The first of many Red-winged Blackbirds appeared on the wires overhead as dark silhouettes against the ashened skies.
The Lotus Rd. canal was partially opened but only a few pair of Canada Geese and Mallard were present. No gulls. A pair of Gadwall were the highlight.
Lotus Rd. mudflats, Monroe, Michigan, US
Feb 26, 2021 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Rainy, overcast
5 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 24
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 2
Gadwall (Mareca strepera) 2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 16
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
I then drove over to Erie Marsh Preserve. The gates were closed, but it was the misty rain, ice-covered ponds, and lack of birds anywhere that discouraged me from continuing. I would continue on Bay Creek Rd. to look for raptors.
What I thought was a murmuration of starlings turned out to be an impressive flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds! I found ~1000 - 1500 birds foraging next to the road as I rounded the curve. I would have to settle for pics through an open passenger-side window.
Feb 26, 2021 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.2 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Rainy, overcast
2 species
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 750 What I thought was a murmuration of starlings turned out to be an impressive flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds! I found ~1000 - 1500 birds foraging next to the road as I rounded the curve. I would have to settle for pics through an open passenger-side window.What I thought was a murmuration of starlings turned out to be an impressive flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds! I found ~1000 - 1500 birds foraging next to the road as I rounded the curve. I would have to settle for pics through an open passenger-side window.
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 700 What I thought was a murmuration of starlings turned out to be an impressive flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds! I found ~1000 - 1500 birds foraging next to the road as I rounded the curve. I would have to settle for pics through an open passenger-side window.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
A stop at the foot of Erie Rd. and the remains of the J.R. Whiting Power Plant gave me the first Red-winged Blackbird on territory. Atop phragmites and against gray skies I managed a few pics of a singing male.
Feb 26, 2021 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.4 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Rainy, overcast
2 species
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 19
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
I'd find another singing Red-winged Blackbird at the entrance to the Wm. C. Sterling State Park. Hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls were roosting on the thinning ice but I decided to get a few more pics of the RWBB.
Feb 26, 2021 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Rainy, overcast
2 species
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 200
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Next stop. Luna Pier. Nothing.
I'd make a final stop at Pt. Mouillee HQ and find the Huron River opening up. Rafts of Redhead, Canvasback, and Ring-necked Ducks were swimming out in the middle of the river, and only a single Common Goldeneye was near shore. I managed a few pics of it swimming before the drake took flight, circled, and passed by a second time.
Feb 26, 2021 10:46 AM - 11:06 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
4 species
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 200
Redhead (Aythya americana) 200
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 100
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
