Phaethon
Well-known member
Here's a recent report from Chippewa County in Michigan's Upper Penninsula:
"Mark and Joanie Hubinger, Paul Ciske, myself, and about 10 others spent the weekend birding the Sault Sainte Marie area in eastern Chippewa County Here are the highlights:
3 Hawk Owls; seen at McCabe & H-48 (northwest of Pickford), southeast of Pickford on H-48 east of M-129, and about a half mile north of Rudyard on Tilson Road.
5 Snowy Owls along Centerline Road southeast of Rudyard. Another one was seen on Hantz Road, east and south of 19 Mile Road. Two were seen in flight, one over the southern end of Ridge Road (near 8 Mile Road) and a second at Lower Hay Lake Road and 7 ½ Mile Road.
Though none in our group located Great Gray Owls, there was a report from Bob & Lois Robbins, who live on the west end of 11 Mile Road, off of M-129, that they had one on Tuesday (1/6) just east of their home. Their home is on the south side of the road, along 11 Mile Road, and they have feeders with Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpolls, Tree Sparrow, and tons of Goldfinch. And, they enjoy the birders.
Another Great Gray Owl was seen south on Centerline as it "T's" into Bay Road. This is about 5-6 miles southeast of Rudyard. This bird was seen on Thursday (1/8).
Sharp-tailed Grouse; east of I-75, along H-48, near Steinbeck Road (about 1-2 miles west of McCabe Road). On Centerline Road, approximately 4 1/2 miles southeast of Rudyard. Along Teets Road, south of the small town of Dryburg.
Rough-legged Hawk; along 9 Mile Road, west of Ridge Road. Another was seen near the Hawk Owl that is southeast of Pickford.
At the Drafter Dump we had; one third cycle Thayer's Gull, 2 first cycle Iceland Gulls, 1 second cycle Iceland Gull, 6 second cycle Glaucous Gulls, several adult and immature Great Black-backed Gulls, about 100 Ring-billed Gulls, and about 200 Herring Gulls. Plus, Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Northern Shrikes; on Nicolet Road, north of 9 Mile Road. And, Lower Hay Lake Road, south of 10 Mile Road.
Scattered flocks of Pine Grosbeak were seen along Scenic Road near the Charlotte River, just before entering the Dunbar Forest. Good numbers were seen at the feeders of Pins’ residence immediately east of the Dunbar Forest Park (this would be near the mouth of Charlotte River, where it enters the St. Mary's River).
Hoary Redpoll; was seen feeding on road grit near the intersection of 7 Mile Road and Ridge Road, with Common Redpolls. Joseph Pins reports that one has been visiting his feeders daily (adjacent to the Dunbar Station).
The only Snow Buntings observed were in the same area as the 5 Snowy Owls. Flock of about a dozen.
Common Redpolls were very common throughout the area. Pine Siskins were less common, but abundant at the Pins’ feeders by the Dunbar Station; White-winged Crossbills were seen, but not commonly for most of us.
We talked to a couple that had last seen the Gyrafalcon about two weeks ago, and they had mentioned they had seen it 3 times, over the previous 2-3 weeks at 3 different locations. All approximately 10 to 20 miles south and west of the Soo.
Good birding
Jim Dawe"
"Mark and Joanie Hubinger, Paul Ciske, myself, and about 10 others spent the weekend birding the Sault Sainte Marie area in eastern Chippewa County Here are the highlights:
3 Hawk Owls; seen at McCabe & H-48 (northwest of Pickford), southeast of Pickford on H-48 east of M-129, and about a half mile north of Rudyard on Tilson Road.
5 Snowy Owls along Centerline Road southeast of Rudyard. Another one was seen on Hantz Road, east and south of 19 Mile Road. Two were seen in flight, one over the southern end of Ridge Road (near 8 Mile Road) and a second at Lower Hay Lake Road and 7 ½ Mile Road.
Though none in our group located Great Gray Owls, there was a report from Bob & Lois Robbins, who live on the west end of 11 Mile Road, off of M-129, that they had one on Tuesday (1/6) just east of their home. Their home is on the south side of the road, along 11 Mile Road, and they have feeders with Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpolls, Tree Sparrow, and tons of Goldfinch. And, they enjoy the birders.
Another Great Gray Owl was seen south on Centerline as it "T's" into Bay Road. This is about 5-6 miles southeast of Rudyard. This bird was seen on Thursday (1/8).
Sharp-tailed Grouse; east of I-75, along H-48, near Steinbeck Road (about 1-2 miles west of McCabe Road). On Centerline Road, approximately 4 1/2 miles southeast of Rudyard. Along Teets Road, south of the small town of Dryburg.
Rough-legged Hawk; along 9 Mile Road, west of Ridge Road. Another was seen near the Hawk Owl that is southeast of Pickford.
At the Drafter Dump we had; one third cycle Thayer's Gull, 2 first cycle Iceland Gulls, 1 second cycle Iceland Gull, 6 second cycle Glaucous Gulls, several adult and immature Great Black-backed Gulls, about 100 Ring-billed Gulls, and about 200 Herring Gulls. Plus, Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Northern Shrikes; on Nicolet Road, north of 9 Mile Road. And, Lower Hay Lake Road, south of 10 Mile Road.
Scattered flocks of Pine Grosbeak were seen along Scenic Road near the Charlotte River, just before entering the Dunbar Forest. Good numbers were seen at the feeders of Pins’ residence immediately east of the Dunbar Forest Park (this would be near the mouth of Charlotte River, where it enters the St. Mary's River).
Hoary Redpoll; was seen feeding on road grit near the intersection of 7 Mile Road and Ridge Road, with Common Redpolls. Joseph Pins reports that one has been visiting his feeders daily (adjacent to the Dunbar Station).
The only Snow Buntings observed were in the same area as the 5 Snowy Owls. Flock of about a dozen.
Common Redpolls were very common throughout the area. Pine Siskins were less common, but abundant at the Pins’ feeders by the Dunbar Station; White-winged Crossbills were seen, but not commonly for most of us.
We talked to a couple that had last seen the Gyrafalcon about two weeks ago, and they had mentioned they had seen it 3 times, over the previous 2-3 weeks at 3 different locations. All approximately 10 to 20 miles south and west of the Soo.
Good birding
Jim Dawe"
