Saw-whet Owl, Belle Isle, Detroit

[Karl Overman]

Today, November 24th, I found a Saw-whet Owl on Belle Isle in  
Detroit.  It was along the paved trail through the woods, though not  
readily seen from that trail.  It was about 70 yards east from the  
east end of the zoo fence, about 8 feet up in a bowed sapling with  
lots of dead leaves forming a canopy over the bird.  To reach the  
area take the road around the island until the road splits to go  
around a lagoon.  Go left and park as soon as you legally can.  Then  
walk toward the red foot bridge but do not go over it but instead  
keep to the right and go onto the paved trail through the woods.   
Eventually you will see the chain link fence for the zoo and then  
look for the bird 70 yards to the east of that fence.

Other birds seen today at Belle Isle and downtown included:

Cackling Goose:  One off the fishing pier on the Detroit side of the  
island

Long-tailed Duck:  One off the swimming beach

White-winged Scoter:  One female type off the west end on the Detroit  
side

Surf Scoter:  2 female types on the Canadian side near the west end.

Ovenbird: 1 still at Campus Martius in downtown Detroit.  On 11/22 i  
had 2 in that area.

Lincoln's Sparrow: 1 in plantings along walkway between Cobo Hall and  
Hart Plaza.  There was also a Swamp Sparrow there as well.

Cheers,

Karl Overman
Farmington Hills, Mi.