An unexpected find

It’s always nice when you find something that you weren’t expecting. That happened yesterday. Susan found a small critter on the boardwalk to the point. The unexpected surprise was a newt, always a nice find here. I’m sitting writing this as I am taking a break from watching birds heading north. The highlights so farContinue reading “An unexpected find”

What migrating birds will today offer?

This morning facing north (left) and south (right). It’s quite windy out of the WNW, but otherwise has the makings of a beautiful day. Yesterday, on the other hand was spectacular. There were close to 2,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks in the sky as they passed heading north, as well as stopping to hunt. Small birds, likeContinue reading “What migrating birds will today offer?”

Amazing day with raptors

Yesterday one one of those days that started iffy and turned into amazing. All day small numbers of Northern Harriers passed by. Once they started, Sharp-shinned Hawks came through at a rate of 100-200+ per hour. Nice views of Broad-winged Hawks are always nice. However… Large swirling kettles are better. There are over 100 Broad-wingedContinue reading “Amazing day with raptors”

Eagles at Whitefish Point

Yesterday was a funny day. Scattered birds throughout the day than a burst of activity in the mid afternoon. The flight, as it was consisted of a variety of raptors, but was dominated by eagles. That was nice since eagles, both bald and golden are some of my favorite birds. An adult Bald Eagle. WeContinue reading “Eagles at Whitefish Point”

It’s time for lichens

It’s a beautiful morning here at Whitefish Point. The first clear morning since we’ve up here this month. Clear at this time of year means cold. As I am sitting here and writing it’s 28F and fortunately with very very little wind. Yesterday on our walk to the point it was obvious that lichens wereContinue reading “It’s time for lichens”

Looking for signs of spring

Now that we’re back in Ann Arbor we are looking for signs of spring. Here that would be plants and insects as birds are still lagging compared to what we saw in the south. A couple of days ago we decided to go to Dexter Huron Metropark where spring ephemerals (plants) typically appear quite earlyContinue reading “Looking for signs of spring”