[Mich-listers] Franklin's Gulls - Berrien Co. - Nov. 1

[Kip or Suzanne Miller]

Birders, 

Following up on Alison Vilag's post to the BBC list yesterday about her lakewatch from the Cherry Beach overlook in southwest Berrien County, I decided to spend a bit of time there myself this morning. Although the waterfowl migration was not as evident as yesterday, I still saw several interesting birds in just an hour of watching. 

The highlight was 3 Franklin's Gulls which I located sitting just offshore with a small flock of larger gulls. Other sightings of interest included a Merlin that came in off the lake with an unlucky songbird migrant in its talons, 10 Black Scoters and 8 White-winged Scoters. Other expected water fowl species were seen, as well as several Common Loons and many Bonapate's Gulls. I also saw several Herring Gulls chase and catch a songbird migrant trying to make it to shore from out over the lake. 

Cherry Beach Road is located on the west side of Red Arrow Highway, between the community of Harbert to the north and Lakeside to the south. An observation deck overlooking Lake Michigan is available in the small township park at the west end of the road. A good location for future lakewatch efforts, as Alison noted. 

A bit further south at the Pier Road overlook in Lakeside I saw 2 Red-throated Loons and counted over 50 Horned Grebes in a full scope scan from left to right. 

New Buffalo was quiet, with just a couple of Snow Buntings on the upper beach. 

Good birding, 

Kip Miller 
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