Highlights: Swainson's Hawk

We recieved no more reports of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow after the morning. A couple reported spending 1 1/2 hours at the feeders yesterday evening with no success. Calvin had his 2nd Swainson's Hawk of the season. The above photo is of the season's 1st on 4/22.

Highlights: Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow found by Calvin Brennan yesterday was at the feeders again this morning. The bird was coming in to the feeders periodically until at least 11:00, but Sharp-shinned were regularly mixing things up. Other sightings included Black-throated Blue and Orange-crowned Warblers, Lapland Longspur, Vesper and Lincoln's Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak.

There has been some activity over the last few days. A male Black-backed Woodpecker, (photo above) was at the Point on the 6th. Other recent sightings have been Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Bald Eagle, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Grosbeak, and Common Redpoll (photo below). Calvin and Charlene Brennan visited this weekend and also had Common Loon, and Northern Goshawk.

Well, with the limited diversity these days, Nova and I were somewhat excited to have a Fox Sparrow show up at the feeders at the staff housing today. As fate would have it, the Northern Shrike that has been making the occasional raid on our feeders was even more excited (Nova's photo above). Other birds at the housing feeders today were Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Red-breated Nuthatch, Pine Grosbeak (photo below), and Common Redpoll. The weather turned on us and we've had well over a foot of snow and high winds over the last few days. More is expected, along with 40 mph wind gusts tomorrow. Prior to the storm the feeders at the Point were still being visited by Red-winged Blackbird, Pine Grosbeaks, and Common and Hoary Redpolls. A handful of waterbirds were also still around; Common Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck. Other sightings included Ruffed and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Bald Eagle, and Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Nova and I made the trek over to the upper falls in Tahquamenon State Park during the first snow fall (photo below). Truly beautiful in the snow.

Highlights: Prairie Warbler, Hoary Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak

The Prairie Warbler continues to hang on in spite of snow and low temperatures. At least 2 Hoary Redpolls, were among the 50 Common Redpolls at the feeders today. Nine Pine Grosbeaks were also at the feeders, along with a Red-winged Blackbird and a Snow Bunting. Nova and I had an amazing experience with 5 River Otters (photo above) near the Tahquamenon River mouth this afternoon. These otters fished near shore, within 30 feet of us for about 20 minutes.

I have begun posting some of my photos, from this and previous seasons at the Point, at the bottom of the page. We would also like to encourage people to post comments about the blogs at this time. Cory, Keith, Wendy, and I were amazed by the positive feedback we recieved on the blogs from visitors this fall. It was particulary amazing to have people from as far away as North Carolina visit and tell us that they had been checking our posts. This is the first season there has been official WPBO staff blogs, we would like to continue this. It would be helpful if WPBO board members could see positive feedback, so please post comments if you would like to see these real time updates from the Point continue. As I post this, I'm hoping people are still checking this blog.....Hello?.......Hello?

The Whitefish Point Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 22. Any interested parties should contact Skye Haas at theowlranch@aol.com.