Maple River 23 MAR 08

[Dmcwhir513 at aol.com]

Folks -

Alan Shlosberg and I traveled up to Maple River SGA this morning via Lake 
Lansing and Park Lake.

Lake Lansing was all ice from the one view we took, but Park Lake was open 
along the north and west shores a bit.  We had Canada Goose, Mallard, 1 Common 
Merg, 2 Red-breasted Merg (excellent close views), 1 Bufflehead, 6 Ring-necked 
Duck, 2 Green-winged Teal, and a Wood Duck.  The Ring-necks and Bufflehead 
were lifers for Alan (on sabbatical from overseas).

We did a near circuit of the East Unit at Maple River (Blair Road bridge to 
State Road Bridge), then worked along the north edge of the of the SGA over to 
Maple Rapids and back to 127 along Maple Rapids Road.

Almost all of the waterfowl roosting in Unit D flew off at our approach - a 
thundering herd of Canada Geese.  The cold weather last night had locked up 
much of the shallow water in Unit D.  Ducks had left the area previously or they 
all flew off with the geese. Either way, we did not have as many waterfowl 
species as on Thursday.  We still managed to find Alan another lifer in the form 
of Hooded Merganser off Blair and State road bridges.

Even though it was a chilly day, the birds were busy and there was abundant 
song.

Doug McWhirter
10112 W Holt
Dimondale, MI 48821
517-646-8151


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