Chippewa/Schoolcraft County report, Oct 27-29

[Caleb Putnam]

Listers-

Brent Carlson and I visited Chippewa County, Schoolcraft County from Wed Oct 
27 - Friday Oct 29 2004.  Highlights:

Whitefish Point
Boreal Owl- we were able to locate 1 bird in its day roost shortly before 
dusk on the 27th, along the left fork of the owl road, about 1 mile in, by 
looking carefully in the dense spruce stands.  Several have been banded by 
the owl banders lately.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl- Chris Neri found a cooperative roosting bird on the 
27th south of the lure blind about 100m.

Parasitic Jaeger- 1 juvenile has been making a pass by the point daily since 
the 25th (per Karl Bardon).  We saw it both the mornings of the 27th and 
28th.  it roosts in the bay, passes north by the point and usually returns 
again back into the bay.

finches- several Common Redpolls, a few Pine Grosbeaks, a handful of both 
crossbills, evening grosbeaks, and lots of siskins were present at WPBO all 
days.

Indigo Bunting- 1 late juv at feeders 27th and 28th

Schoolcraft County, Oct 28, 1400-1900 hrs
Seney Wildlife Refuge, Driggs River Rd entrance.  Looked for Great Gray Owls 
without success.  We had a probable Short-Eared Owl vocalizing after dusk 
(couldn't see it), and a nice group of Sharp-Tailed Grouse about 1/2 mile 
east of the T intersection in Driggs River Rd. (which is about 2 miles south 
of M-28).  Beware that there is a closed gate about 1.5 miles south of M-28 
which you must walk in from.  We hiked at least 5 miles in search of the 
birds- beautiful habitat.

Rudyard, Chippewa County, Oct 29, 0800-1000 hrs
Checked for early owls (Snowy, Hawk, etc) at Centerline Rd SE of Rudyard, 
and at Kinross Rd NE of Rudyard, without success.

Good Birding,
Caleb Putnam

Caleb G Putnam
Grand Rapids, MI
larus10 at hotmail.com

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