Sunny and Cold at LEMP - 26 Feb 2026

 

Skies were clear this morning but temperature was hovering at 18ºF as I drove to Pt. Mouillee HQ to check on waterfowl. The Huron River was open in front of HQ and was littered with hundreds of Canada Geese, Mallard, Mute Swans, and a few Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers and Tundra Swans. Most were well at a distance so no photos were had.

I then drove back to Lake Erie Metropark to walk the Trappers Run Trail next to the Marshland Museum. The ground was free of snow and ice, but frozen so walking was a joy! Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens could be heard singing in the distance but few birds were in the vicinity. So I just walked and photographed this Cattail just to make sure the camera still worked...

A drumming Downy Woodpecker.

This was a morning I wished for a macro lens as the hoarfrost showed nicely on the ground below my feet.

Overhead four American Crows were flying north.

And a pleasant surprise came in the form of 8 Rusty Blackbirds squeaking away at the top of the trees near the east entrance to the trail. 

I then walked across the road to the bike path along the Cherry Trail and saw Paul Cypher. After asking if anything exciting was seen he pointed me in the direction of several people (including Dianne Kovach and Moxie Sylvan) who were photographing 4 Long-eared Owls that decided to make their morning roost close to the bike path. The birds were high and far enough back to be disturbed, but we were quiet and moved slowly so as not to disturb them. A few photos later and we walked back to the car.

Lake Erie Metropark, Rockwood US-MI 42.07522, -83.20136, Wayne, Michigan, US
Feb 26, 2026 8:42 AM - 9:41 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.141 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, cold, 18F, calm.
12 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  6
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)  4     4 next to bike trail near museum. Pics. Did not leave path as they were close.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)  4     2 on west side of Trappers Run trail and 2 on east side a few minutes later.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)  6
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)  8     Near entrance to Trappers Run trail. 6 males and 2 browner females w yellow eyes and squeaky call.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S303991240

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)