Saginaw Co. - 30 JUL 06

[Dmcwhir513@aol.com]

Chatters -
 
Decided to take a trip up to the Shiawassee River SGA in the early morning  
to see if there was any shorebird habitat.  Got to the Prior Rd parking  lot, 
stepped out of the car, and was immediately greeted by a VERY enthusiastic  
crowd of mosquitoes.  They loved me!
 
Remembered two things near simultaneously: 1) Why I don't go near wet  woods 
in Michigan in July.  2) No dope, Dope!
 
Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I slapped my way from one end of  
the dike to the other and came back bloody and sore, festooned with  mosquito 
carci - a grand sight, to be sure.
 
I'd like to report there is wonderful shorebird habitat here, but there is  
not.  Not much, anyway.  Good place for herons and working on immature  
Night-Heron ID.  Had both grass wrens, a calling Virginia Rail, and a group  of half 
grown young with a moorhen.  Bunch of deer standing near belly deep  in the 
marsh, either to cool off or avoid mosquitoes, at least on some part of  their 
body.  Nice 8 point buck in velvet.
 
Also checked 4 sewage lagoons in the area for birds and access.   Not 
generally productive, but did have over 100 Wood Duck on the St.Charles  ponds and 
the Hemlock ponds look like they have good potential.
 
Did have a calling Dickcissal near the SW corner of Ederer and  Fordney near 
Hemlock.
 
Finally, would someone please turn up this season's vagrant hummer.   Thanks, 
 - Duhg Mc
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