3 Thumb Merlins + finches

[Cccta at aol.com]

Listers,
 
Saturday was a mixed bag as I headed north into the Thumb looking for  county 
birds
 
Genesee County    
First stop for the day was Richfield Park hoping for the Snowy Owl reported  
on the CBC. I found no owl and doubt that it will return as this does not look 
 like Snowy habitat - too many trees, not enough open area. A quick check of  
Holloway Reservoir revealed no open water despite lots of waterfowl in flight 
-  must be water around somewhere. I checked the feeders along Mt Morris Rd 
and  again found Redpolls with a bonus of a single Pine Siskin.
 
Lapeer County
A little patience eventually was rewarded with Common Redpolls at the  
feeders on the corner of Barnes Lake and Skelton Roads where Karl Overman had  
reported them.
 
Tuscola County
The first Merlin of the day was along M-24 just south of Darbee Road. At  
Fish Point SWA I had a pair of Common Redpolls and then a flock of 46 which  
included a very, very frosty Common. Big bill, big poll, streaked rump -  
definitely a Common Redpoll but every time the flock relocated I could pick it  out 
instantly. Also present among the many raptors was a first year Northern  
Goshawk. Initially seen perched, the bird flew away revealing its stubby, paddle  
wings. Continuing north I scored a lone Pine Grosbeak atop a bare tree in  
Unionville.
 
Huron County
The swing into Huron was just to find Common Redpoll and I did pretty  
quickly at feeders in Sebewaing. On the way out of town I saw an interesting  
silhouette and stopped to scope (and photograph) a second Merlin.
 
Sanilac County
I was able to locate a Pine Grosbeak in Sandusky and then, following the  
shopping list Karl had posted I was able to score the Glaucous Gull flying above  
the landfill on Ruth Road north of M-46 (the dark Rough-legged Hawk was in  
flight here as well) and the Merlin on Wixsom Road south of County Farm Road.  
One last Redpoll tick for the day at feeders on Harrington Road.
 
I saw no Snow Buntings, Longspurs or Waxwings at all.
 
Merry Finching,
 
Scott Jennex
Ferndale
 
 



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