Chippewa County Good Birds, May 4-5

[Caleb Putnam]

Birders-

I spent the evening of May 4 and all day May 5 at Whitefish Point and 
surrounding areas.  Things are picking up nicely and birding was very 
exciting.  Highlights:

@Eurasian Siskin- stunning male present at feeders at WPBO all afternoon and 
evening of May 5, seen by many and well photographed.  Bird was unbanded, 
toenails intact, all rectrices in perfect condition- no signs of captive 
origin.  Wonder what the committee will do with this one...  I can't imagine 
a more plausible scenario for potential wild origin in interior North 
America.  See my photos at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/104107199iwbTEk

@Western Tanager- 1 male present in Paradise for past few days, learned of 
and verified by WPBO staff and I only today.  Photo at same website as 
above.
@American White Pelican- 7 present at tip evening of May 4.
@Northern Mockingbird- 1 present at shipwreck museum store, both days.
@Dark-morph Broad-Winged Hawk- 1 present May 5
@Dark-morph Red-Tailed Hawk- 1 present May 5
@Golden Eagle- 3 present May 5
@N. Goshawk- 3 present May 5
@Great Gray Owl- 1 caught by hawk trappers evening of May 4, not found 
subsequently despite much searching near owl road and parking lot at dusk.
@Boreal Owl- 1 caught in wee hours of May 5 by owl banders, not seen by 
birders.
@American Bittern- strangely, 1 flyby at hawk platform at dusk May 4.
@Snow Goose- also oddly, 1 flyby singleton at point May 5.

I also caught wind of a Black-Backed Woodpecker sighting at Vermilion Rd 
campground at Sheldrake, at campsite # 16, but I didn't chase.

Good Birding,
Caleb Putnam

Caleb G Putnam
Kalkaska, MI
larus10 at hotmail.com

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