Soo Report for February 23-24 - Chippewa County

[Skip Zabel]

All,

I took a few days to bird the Soo area on Monday and Tuesday (February
23-24).  Here are some of the birds I found:

Northern Hawk Owl - present both days on the SE corner of M-48 and
McCabe.  The bird was often perched in a dead snag below the top of the
tree line, so not always an easy 'standout'. 

Great Gray Owl - present 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. February 23rd on Hay
Lake Road south of 7 ½ Mile on the east side of the road.  It was in a
tree on the north side of the field where there is a sign to the "Roe
Family" drive. 

Snowy Owl - still present on both Centerline and Hantz Road in Rudyard
on both days. 

SharpTailed Grouse - in the trees and at the feeders on 9 Mile east of
Nicolet (north side of the road).  These feeders were also very active
with Purple Finch, Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins.

White Winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins,
Purple Finch, Wild Turkey, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers at the Dunbar
feeding station.  There must have been close to 500 birds of all sorts
on Wednesday morning - quite spectacular! 

Rough Legged Hawks - 2 on 15 Mile between Riverside and M-129.

Bald Eagle - on M-129 North of M-80.

Good birding,

Skip 

Skip Zabel
szabel at albion.edu