After a rude awakening, they got ready and headed out the door by 7:00 am the following morning. On the way to the fields of Pickford, MI, they had hoped to see some grouse species and maybe even an owl. Determined to scout out a grouse lek, they came across an orderly flock of Snow Buntings that looked as if they were tumbleweed bouncing up and down along the road. Interested in learning the behaviors of different bird species, the group discovered Snow Buntings actually fly in organized formations and have a hierarchical status within each flock. Males rank highest in dominance, getting better feeding opportunities than other flock members. Continuing their search, eventually, they came
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Planning to head home to the fields of northwestern Ohio quite soon, they began to make their way to another pine forest with plentiful Pine Siskins and Purple Finches. Checking the area out, it did not disappoint and lived up to its promise. The group got excellent looks at the puffy Purple Finches and energetic Pine Siskins. Now ready to make their way south, the crew hopped in the car and headed for the Mackinac Bridge. Beginning to journey across the remarkable structure, the attentive birders found a familiar sighting from the start of their travels. They located a massive migratory flock of about 25,000 waterfowl.
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On Saturday, September 16th, the NW Tri-State Chapter of Ohio Young Birders Club went to Lake Erie Metropark for the Detroit Hawk Watch. Mrs. McCaskey, one of our advisors, drove Sam Cox and I, who are both members. Joel, another member, rode with Cherie Yarger the other advisor, and her husband, Mr. Yarger, who are Joel’s aunt and uncle. Ethan Walz, the last member, could not make it because he had a cross country meet. Afterwards we went to the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge. I got two birds to add to the list of birds I had never seen before: a Black-Crowned Night Heron and a Broad-Winged Hawk.
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