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| Marbled Godwits - Incredible Shorebirds! |
Back in July, I saw my first Pileated Woodpecker, and using my PPNP birding checklist book, I counted about 175 birds on my life list. An informal count recently brought me to 193... and I think this trip pushes me to the 199-200 mark! I am really excited about that!
Anyone going to Pointe Mouillee should print out a map and realize that its huge. The first time I went, I did not do this planning and found myself on a 5 mile walk (un-equipped with water and granola - not fun). This time, I brought my bike in my trunk, water, hat and some good cheer! It seems best parkinglot to use is the southernmost lot, just before Mouillee Creek bridge.
The first bird I noticed when I arrived was the giant Marbled Godwits. I was like wow! Lifer! Then, I walked down to the other end of the shorebird cell and noticed a birder. As I approached her, I noticed Buff breasted Sandpipers around! (Lifer!) They stayed at a comfortable 20 yards from me, but were very tolerant of humans... comparable to Killdeers.
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| Buff breasted Sandpiper |
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| Red necked Phalarope |
This Green winged Teal was walking around. This is a lifer as well for me! Its funny because I had ignored the duck with all the other great shorebirds around, but as I was photographed other birds, it would come into the frame of my camera view and shine bright green into my eyes almost like a mirror, beckoning my attention!
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| Green winged Teal - Shining green into my lens |
I believe I photographed some Stilt & Pectoral Sandpipers as well this afternoon... really kicking up my life list total to 199!
Pointe Mouillee Birds~
Least Sandpiper
Marbled Godwit (lifer! 194)
Stilt Sandpiper (lifer! 195)
Red necked Phalarope (lifer! 196)
Baird's Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper (lifer! 197)
Lesser Yellowlegs
Green-winged Teal (lifer! 198)
Buff breasted Sandpiper (lifer! 199)
Sanderling
Baird's Sandpiper
? Long billed Dowitcher (lifer 200!)
Pied Billed Grebe
Assorted Terns, Gulls, Egrets and Herons
Blackbirds
American Goldfinch
Bobolink
Savannah Sparrow
Canada Goose
Anyway, I visited two other great sites after Pointe Mouillee, but I will leave them as a separate postings
Great birding!
Dwayne
PS: Is it possible that there is a Long-billed Dowitcher in this photo? If so, that could be my #200th bird!!!! I will be conservative and call it a Short-billed and leave the 200th bird celebration for another day!
So close!!! Sounds like you had a great weekend all around. If this isn't number 200 for you, is there any particular bird that would make hitting the 200 mark even more special?
ReplyDeleteCrystal,
ReplyDeleteA great question! In fact, I was going to add a life list wishlist at the end of this posting.
Some birds I'd still love to see are:
Warblers:
Cerulean, Kentucky, Prothnotary, Worm-eating
Wrens:
Sedge, Winter
Woodpeckers
Lewis's, Acorn, red-naped sapsucker, black backed, three toed
Raptors:
Golden Eagle, Saw-whet owl,
Others:
Boreal Chickadee, Grey Jay, most of the Winter finches, American Avocet, American Bittern, and last but not least, a south-american Royal Flycatcher! (see: http://web2.uwindsor.ca/courses/biology/dmennill/360/360Main.html for a photo)
Once I see all of the above birds, I will probably call it quits!
I see your wish list range is moving west. That Acorn Woodpecker is such an awesome bird. Time to invest in http://www.amazon.ca/Sibley-Field-Guide-Western-America/dp/0679451218......and then one on tropical birds!
ReplyDelete