Detroit RBA 3/7/05

[Karl Overman]

Gyrfalcon (Pelee)
Snowy Owl
Long-eared Owl
Townsend’s Solitaire (Ont)
Harris’s Sparrow

Monday,  March 7, 2005 at 10 pm

This is the rare bird alert sponsored by the Detroit Audubon Society.  
Nearby areas of Ontario have generated a couple of interesting birds of 
late.  Today Alan Wormington had a white phased Gyrfalcon at Hillman 
Marsh dining on a Redhead.  Alan says that just today massive numbers of 
waterfowl have moved into the Pelee area.

Further north at Hungry Hollow south of The Pinery near the Lambton Co. 
Middlesex County line, a Townsend’s Solitaire has been seen for over a 
week up to at least March 6th. Go to the intersection of Sylvan Road and 
Fossil Road and then walk west on Fossil Road to about 70 yards from a 
red gate.  There is a marking in the snow at a point to look for the 
bird.  The birder in residence at Hungry Hollow is  Pete Chapman who has 
turned up numerous great winter birds over the years.

Arguably North America’s easiest Long-eared Owls to see continue to be 
on  display at Lake Erie Metro Park where for example 8 where seen  at 
the beginning of the nature trail  across from the visitor center on 
March 6th.

In Michigan, Steve Santner had a very surprising find of a first year 
Little Gull on Pentwater Lake in Oceana County on March 6th.   Snowy 
Owls continue to be found in the Thumb in Tuscola County where on March 
4th Josh Springer had two; one on Akron Road between Bradleyville road 
and Garner Road and another on Bradleyville Road south of Dutcher Road.

The Harris’s Sparrow in Springfield Township, Oakland County, is still 
being seen,   at 6481 Springfield Lane. The bird feeds with a host of 
other birds on seed the homeowner  placed out between 2 large evergreens 
in his backyard.
The homeowner, Mike Wells,  would prefer you call before coming.  His 
home phone is 248.625.3088.


On Sunday, March 13th there will be a field trip lead by Steve Santner 
covering the Lower Detroit River and Lake Erie.  Meet at the Visitor 
Center parking lot at Lake Erie Metro Park at 8 am.




To report rare birds call Karl Overman at 248.473.0484.

Karl Overman
Farmington Hills, Mi.