W-w Crossbills, N. Shrike - Lapeer County, Tuesday - December 30

[jbuecking at juno.com]

Birders,

While birding in northern Lapeer county today I was lucky enough to get great looks at 30 White-winged Crossbills at very close (20 - 30') range. They were seen in and just above a shallow ditch along Snow-Den Trail, just off Barnes Lake Rd. The birds flew off after a few minutes and I doubt they are chaseable. Snow-Den Trail leads to a section of Lapeer State Game Area which, in the past at least, was a good place to check in winter for berry-eating birds. 

All but one row of the trees here have now been cleared and it's no longer worth a trip if you're interested in looking for waxwings, etc. I did however find a first-winter Northern Shrike in the fields there today. 

Good birding,

Jeff Buecking
Fenton


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