- Load more19 hours ago
"With less than two weeks left in the season here at Whitefish Point, the fall has started to take on a different feel. While we still have some leaves on a few plants in the understory, the vibrant foliage on our deciduous trees has mostly fallen, so things are feeling a little more barren. . .In terms of birds, the variety and numbers at the Point changed quite a bit throughout the week. For the first couple of days after my last blog post, we continued to have large flocks of American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos all around the area, and even up to four Northern Cardinals being seen near the parking lot."
Read the full update from Fall Field Ornithologist Clay Bliznick at: wpbo.org/2024/11/05/fall-field-ornithologist-update-week-7-2/
📸 American Tree Sparrow perched behind the feeders | Clay Bliznick
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20 hours agoHere is a story of survival and endurance to warm your hearts and brighten your day. Great news from Tianze Ling who recently captured a photo of "LeVel" foraging in her favorite winter home Crandon Beach, FL. The 5-year old female LeVeL was observed last winter in Crandon Park, FL with a broken lower left leg which she received from an unknown cause. Even with the broken leg LeVeL continued to move along and adequately forage. In April 2024, she made it safely thru migration and arrived back at her favorite nesting site North Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes. The bands were not restricting or causing any problems to the leg, but as a precautionary measure and ensure no future problems arose Of,[LV]:X,L "LeVeL" was trapped in June and her Black and Violet bands were removed. LeVeL continued with incubation and successfully hatched 3 chicks. Unfortunately, her chicks were predated, but this is the life of a plover sometimes you fledge chicks and some years are less successful and the abundance of predators snatch your little ones up before they can fly. As you can see from the photo LeVeL continues to not let her misshaped leg hold her back. Although the left leg turns in slightly it seems to have healed well. LeVeL continues to carry on and rest and forage her way thru the non-breeding season. The strength and resilience of a little GLPIPL never ceases to amaze us. We hope LeVeL continues to stay healthy and safe in Crandon Beach and will return to the Great Lakes in 2025 to have a successful breeding season. Thanks for sharing your photo and sighting Tianze Ling!
If you observed an orange banded or flagged piping plover please send your photos observation to plover@umn.edu. ... See MoreSee Less0 CommentsComment on Facebook
3 days agoWe have so many amazing and fantastic winter birds here in Iosco and Alcona counties. Whether you’re a seasoned birder with feeders in your yard, or don’t know a thing about birds or feeders, but would like to learn… This fabulous session is for you! ... See MoreSee Less
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Campfire and Owl Calling Field Trip Recap
On October 20, 2024, AuSable Valley Audubon hosted an owl calling campfire for members. In general, interactions with our wild feathered friends helps strengthen our resolve towards conservation of their habitat; it reminds us of ‘who’ we represent in our stewardship activities.
Fifteen members participated in this light-hearted and fun evening. The evening was a bit breezy, which is not great for owl calling. Three members at the fire heard a “hoo,” which may have been from a Great Horned Owl. Usually if a large predator is around smaller birds won’t call so it is likely we had a Great Horned Owl watching us. Otherwise, the night was quiet.
Notable outcomes:
- Strengthening of friendship/camaraderie
- Demonstration of ethical owl calling by an expert
- Good food (thank you to Dawn H. for the delicious scotcharoos)
- Clear sky – we watched a ladder type satellite fly over
It is worthwhile to mention the ethics of bird calling. As with all recreational activities, there are right and wrong ways to engage because wildlife harassment needs to be avoided. If you are not familiar with ethical bird calling, then consider going with a group that is led by a guide or an expert. It is especially important to learn from an expert because bird calling should not be done under the following conditions:
- During breeding season, because it can disrupt courtship
- When birds are rearing and raising young, so the birds can focus on their offspring (especially woodpeckers)
- For threatened or endangered birds
- For rare birds that are somewhat celebrities (like snowy owls)
- Loud calling can scare the birds — so call quietly
- Frequency, no need to keep calling if no response; birds can hear from far away so be patient after the call
- Keep your speaker away from the group for good viewing and safety, some individual birds can be aggressive towards a speaker
What a perfect evening. Thank you to everyone that participated. Since the group consensus was a very positive experience, this could be the first of an annual event.
Upcoming Piping Plover Presentation
“Special Species Series“ (session 2 of 4)
Next Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 1:30.
This session will feature the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover and efforts to protect it. Please come on out and invite friends who may never have observed this rather small beach dweller.
This second session of four will be at the Alcona County Public Library in Harrisville . Please call ahead to reserve a spot at 989-724-6796.
Thanks,
Peggy Ridgeway
Upcoming Potluck
An informal meeting is tentatively planned for 4:30 pm on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 at East Tawas City Park Pavilion. (This park is on US 23 in Tawas, South of the campground and across from Kentucky Fried Chicken.) This is usually a potluck so if you attend bring a dish to pass along with your own place setting. You can join our organization and pay your dues at this meeting $15 for single, $20 for family.
In past years we move across the street at sunset to watch chimney swifts as they enter chimneys at the County Building or at the hospital.
Hope to see you there.
Tawas Point Event Announcement
Migration Days: Spring Warbler Guides
Last year Tropical Birding Tours sent us Spring Warbler Guides that were distributed at our welcome tent. These full-color guides were in very high demand last year because new birders found them valuable to identify the many warblers at Tawas Point. We are thrilled to announce that Tropical Birding Tours again provided these valuable guides for migration days. Look for them at the AuSable Valley Audubon welcome tent.
Wholehearted thank you to Tropical Birding Tours for their generous donation. You can learn more about them at tropicalbirding.com
April 2023 AVA member meeting
April’s AVA member meeting will be on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 pm in the evening at the Oscoda/AuSable Senior Center, 653 State St SW, Oscoda Mi 48750.In Oscoda/AuSable from US 23:At the intersection of US 23 (south of the bridge over the AuSable River) and Smith St(Smith St intersects US 23 at the AuSable Chamber of Commerce and Shoreline Park)Turn west on Smith StreetDrive west on Smith Street to State Street SW, turn south (left) and drive to 653 State Street SW