4/15 & 16

Sharpie in full glide. This pic was taken in VA at Kiptopeke State Park in 10/06. Since my camera is currently not operational I thought I'd add spice to this blog from other sources!

4/15:
Cold by the lake, warm inland - but wind was sustained at 6mph. Overall a good day - weather-wise that is. Lots of Turkey Vulture movement...slim pickn's on the rest.

Raptors:
Bald Eagle: 3
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Cooper's Hawk: 1
Unidentified Raptor: 1
Turkey Vulture: 34

Others:
Sandhill Crane: 8
Common Loon: 3
Gloucous Gull: 1 adult in flight

4/16
Temps broke 50 today (BARELY) with sustained winds at 15-20mph out of the S/SW (just about blew me from my perch!). Believe it or not, Muskegon proper hit 75 today - that's what the cold lake water does to beach temps in spring!!
Despite MY being bundled up in the windy, cool weather, the birds know spring is here. I saw my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet today as well as numerous Tree Swallows, Brown Creepers, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and 2 Caspian Terns.

Raptors:
Red-tailed Hawk: 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 2
Cooper's Hawk: 1
Merlin: 1 (nice view as it flew directly overhead - in a FAST b-line north with S winds - in total Merlin style!)
Unidetified Raptor - 1

Others:
Caspian Tern: 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler: several heard
Tree Swallows: lots