Mid-Michigan winter birds 17 Feb

[Dmcwhir513@aol.com]

Folks -

   As an antidote to cabin fever and with the possiblity of a few county 
ticks, my friend, Pat, and I went north from Lansing this morning and birded along 
the southern edge of Gratiot and Montcalm counties from Maple River SGA over 
to Carson City and M66.  We then doubled back and dropped south down towards 
Lyons in Ionia County.

   Highlights included the "Old Faithful" Northern Shrike along Taft at the 
east edge of the SGA, at least 9 Ruff-legged Hawks along our route, mostly in 
Gratiot County, including an excellent dark phase male, 50 turkeys right by the 
road scratching through the snow to forage, a flock of 200+ Snow Buntings 
with at least 2 Lapland Longspurs (target species) 2-3 miles east of Carson City, 
and the first migrants of the year, 150+ Horned Larks in great plumage and 
full of song, even in the snow.

   We also had an adult Bald Eagle sitting out in Montcalm County and 17 of 
the same species at the "carcass pile" near Lyons in Ionia County.  Nine 
perched in one tree in the center of a field, the rest scrapping over scraps.  
Watching eagles chasing each other on the ground is a rare treat.  DeLorme page 38, 
A1, east of Lyons on Kimball, about 0.5 miles west of Divine Hwy on the south 
side of the road.  We were there at mid-day.  It's the most Blad Eagles I've 
seen in one spot.

Take care.   - Doug McWhirter
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