Friday, March 19,1999 at 12:00 p.m.
This the rare bird alert sponsored by the Detroit Audubon Society.
Spring is late this year, or perhaps more accurately, it is running on
schedule compared to the very early springs of the last two years. A
150 Tundra Swans were at Hillman Marsh in Ontario on March 13th but
on the same date that species had not reached its Saginaw Bay staging
areas.
At least three Long-eared Owls remained at Lake Erie Metro Park in
southern Wayne County as of March 14th where they have been for
several weeks. They can be viewed in a deciduous tree to the left of
the path across from the visitor center as soon as one clears the
wooden bridge. For the benefit of all, stay on the path when viewing
these birds. The raptor count has started at Whitefish Point in the U.P.
with a Golden Eagle passing by on March 15th. Both Common Redpolls
and a few Pine Grosbeaks continue to be seen around the Whitefish
Point area. Three Boreal Chickadees and two White-winged Crossbills
were at Hulbert Bog in western Chippewa County last weekend.
Sharp-tailed Grouse continue to be seen south of the Soo on 11 Mile
Road west of Riverside. In the NW Lower Peninsula, 45 White-winged
Scoters and two Surf Scoters were part of a large flock of diving ducks
off of Orchard Beach State Park on March 12th. During the past week at
Shiawassee NWR in Saginaw County, two Snow Geese and a
White-fronted Goose were seen by Myles Willard. Five Lapland
Longspurs were seen by the parking area at Shiawassee Refuge on
March 14th.
To report rare birds call Karl Overman at 248.473.0484. Thank you for
-calling.
Karl Overman
Farmington Hills, Mi.
Karl.Overman@usdoj.gov