Mouillee Open Opportunity

The spring open house at Pointe Mouillee is coming up next month. This semi-annual event gives a unique experience of the area without having to walk in the 3-4 miles. This time of year there are many migrating birds, some that will bring squeals from the Audubon types. For most it's just a sensory overload trying to see everything at once but your neck and eyes aren't fast enough.

 

I'm hoping Joe Robison will be there this year. Joe is an outdoor show in the making, hence the moniker "Hollywood". Last year he made an entrance out of a helicopter this year who knows maybe one of those recue boats that go on land or water, either way Joe will make the tour entertaining.

So be there April 11 – 9 a.m. at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37025 Mouillee Road, Rockwood; 734-379-9692

These birding tours are part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL), a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan's waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a "call to action" to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow.

To learn more about Michigan's Wetland Wonders, visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.

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Nice Fall Detroit River Walleye Thanks to Mark Romanack

  A while back I shared a contest page on Facebook from Mark Romanack, Surprisingly to me I won a box full of fishing gear with a Mustang inflatable pfd and an Okuna low profile level wind reel. Thanks Mark.

 Professional fisherman to the extreme Mark strives to help anyone become a better fisher person. He hosts the Fishing 411 television show and has written many books about many aspects of fishing. Probably the most important would be the Precision Trolling book Mark wrote about the depth your lure will be trolling at a certain speed with a known line strength and the amount of line out. This is very important info when targeting a precise depth. Mark has spent many hours painstakingly in scuba gear documenting such info. Check out the Fishing 411 blog, facebook page and the tv shows on youtube.

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A Tale of Two Enablers

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

  2014 was the best year I’ve ever had hunting and fishing, and I just turned 60, but the worst on a personal level. In September I lost my Brother in a car accident. He was heading back to his beloved Maine after a summer visit to the old stomping grounds. He was my birding tutor and I still enjoy bird watching to this day. Then in November I lost my Father in Law of 40 years. Not an unexpected event but one that shakes you to the core anyway. He was my hunting enabler.

My family never hunted or even owned sporting firearms. I never thought about hunting growing up instead fishing was my family’s outdoor endeavor. My FIL was big into pheasant hunting and during the 1950s our surrounding area was pheasant heaven. His favorite story was the 5 for 5 on pheasants. Deer hunting is also very big on both sides of my wife’s family. The first time I was invited I had no gun and the only coat I had was a black pea-coat with matching black and white striped scarf. Not the best color scheme for deer hunting being white was a deer color and black was bear, you could hunt bear during deer season at the time. They let me go out anyway with a bead sight shotgun and 2 slugs. I found a spot next to a two track and sat down only to be startled a couple of hours later by a deer that I promptly missed. So started my love affair with hunting.

  Jack not only lent me guns but helped be buy guns for myself once I had the finances to do so. He also made sure whom ever wanted to hunt had a place to stay and somewhere to hunt. Making many memories in the process. Like my second time in deer camp he let me use a newly acquired 8mm rifle. This was quite a step up from the shotgun, in both aesthetics and kick, and I got a deer with it. I now had an attachment to the gun being my first deer and all but he ended up horse trading it away that night with the neighbor so back to square one I went. On the way home I asked for his daughters hand in marriage but due to a problem with communication a lot of swearing and gnashing of teeth ensued. Remembering all the stashed handguns Jack had I quickly straightened out the problem and was given his blessing. The enabler and memory maker will be missed dearly.

Now to the best of 2014. Not to mince words here’s some pics.

10.5 pound walleye

Strutting tom with 9+ inch beard and 1 inch spurs. (With video)

Opening day pheasant

Muzzleloader deer

First buck in 20 years.

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Gifts for Your Birding Friends

From new birdsong collections to smartphone apps, online learning, and a kit for beginning birders, here are 10 holiday gift suggestions for the bird and nature lover in your life. All these items are available from the nonprofit Cornell Lab of Ornithology at www.birds.cornell.edu/BirdGifts. Your purchases "pay it forward" by supporting the Cornell Lab's bird conservation efforts.
 
Cornell Lab 2015 Calendar
Spend a year with the birds! This new calendar features stunning photos with fascinating facts about each species. This colorful cast of characters is yours with a gift of $10 or more to the Lab. ($10) Donate now

Be a Better Birder Tutorials
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eCornell
Part 1: Size and Shape; Part 2: Color and Pattern
These new online tutorials are designed to help beginning birders learn how to identify birds on their own time, at their own pace. They feature interactive exercises and engaging media. In Part 1, you’ll learn which parts of a bird will be most useful in making an ID and the basic groupings used to organize the many species of birds. In Part 2, learn how to locate bits of color on a bird for identification, instead of trying to memorize every color and pattern. Other topics in this section include the challenges posed by juvenile birds and molting birds, and how you can even be fooled by the lighting. $29 each; access provided for 6 months following registration. Purchase and register

Online Bird Behavior Course
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eCornell
In five weeks it’s possible to learn enough about bird behavior to forever change the way you look at these complex and beautiful creatures. Gain new insight and enjoyment through our online interactive course, “Courtship and Rivalry in Birds.” The goal of the course is to help you learn how to observe and interpret bird behavior and communication. A basic principle of bird behavior as it relates to survival and reproduction is explored each week using multimedia and interactive activities, guided by an instructor. The course is offered multiple times during the year. $295 ($255 for Cornell Lab members). Online Bird Behavior Course 

Master Set Bundle
This year we're offering a special pairing of the Cornell Guide to Birds Sounds: Master Set for North America: Master Set and the unparalleled Birds of North American Online reference. This combo includes a one-year subscription to BNA Online, the most complete source of  information for the more than 700 species of birds that breed in Canada and the United States. Each species account includes the latest science as well as photos, sounds, and videos of interesting behaviors. The new, revised Master Set includes multiple examples of sounds for each of 737 bird species in more than 4,900 tracks. This version of the Master Set requires less storage space than the original. ($69.99; a 20%  savings over separate purchase of these items) Master Set Bundle

Essential Set Bundle
This package includes a six-month subscription to Birds of North America Online and the Cornell Guide to Birds Sounds:Essential Set for North America. The Essential Set provides the most common sounds of 729 bird species found in North America with 1,379 tracks. ($24.99; save more than 30% over purchase of these items separately) Essential Set Bundle
You can still purchase the sounds sets and BNA Online separately:
Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: Master Set for North America
This comprehensive guide features nearly 5,000 soundtracks for 737 North American bird species. Download includes MP3 sound files and photographs ($49.99), or get files pre-loaded on a flash drive. ($64.99) Sound Sets

Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: Essential Set for North America
This set includes the most common sounds for 729 species in downloadable MP3 files ($12.99) or on a pre-loaded flash drive. ($24.99) Sound Sets
The Birds of North America Online
This is the most comprehensive reference available for all of North America’s 716 species of breeding birds, updated with the most current scientific information and brought to life with photos, sounds, and video. Image and video galleries show plumages, behaviors, habitat, nests and eggs, and more. This is a gift of knowledge for anyone who loves to learn more about birds. A 30-day subscription is just $5; $42 for a full year.  Birds of North America Online

Project FeederWatch
You can now give FeederWatch as gift, introducing friends and family to this long-running citizen-science project. By submitting bird observations to the Lab, participants help contribute to scientific understanding of feeder birds and learn more about their backyard friends along the way. ($18) Project FeederWatch
BirdSleuth Game Cards
Hit the deck! This deck of 5" x 7" game cards from the Lab’s BirdSleuth K-12 program has full-color images of the 36 most common backyard birds, plus games and a bonus online quiz. With each purchase you also receive a finch sock feeder, two bird ID posters, and BirdSleuth Investigator, the program’s kid-friendly publication. ($14.95) Game cards

Bird Spy Bingo Cards
This is a great stocking stuffer from the Lab's BirdSleuth program! Each dry-erase card invites kids outside to look for birds. Spotting a group of birds, a colorful bird, a feather, or even bird poo can help you win bingo! Play while traveling, out for a walk, or just sitting in your backyard. Cards are available in English and Spanish. ($1.50) Bingo cards

Birds of Paradise: Revealing the World’s Most Extraordinary Birds
By Tim Laman & Edwin Scholes
National Geographic Books & Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Marvel at the stunning images and groundbreaking research that reveal, for the first time, all 39 species of the spectacular birds-of-paradise. Male birds have developed intricate dances, outrageous plumes, and decorative ornaments to woo as many mates as possible. It took 18 expeditions and 8 years for Cornell Lab of Ornithology biologist Ed Scholes and photojournalist Tim Laman to document all the species. Retail: Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods

BirdLog app
Birds-in-the-Hand LLC
The BirdLog data entry app for both iPhone and Android smartphones allows users to record bird observations as they make them and submit their data directly to the eBird online checklist program. BirdLog is available via the iTunes app store or at the Google Play app store for Android devices. A portion of the proceeds goes to fund research and conservation work at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Cornell Lab Membership
When you become a member of the Cornell Lab you give back to the birds by supporting our mission of research, education, conservation, and citizen science. Benefits of membership include our award-winning Living Bird magazine and discounts on projects and courses, plus the latest birding news and discoveries in our monthly eNewsletter. Whether it’s a membership for yourself, your family, or a gift for a loved one, this is a meaningful way to support conservation and enhance the understanding and enjoyment of birds. Supporter level memberships begin at $44 per year. Lab Membership

Cornell Lab Bird Q&A: Your Birding Questions Answered App
This new app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology makes learning more about birds fun. Find the answers to questions you have about birds and learn more about bird identification. This app is based on real questions asked of the experts at the Cornell Lab. Compatible with iPhone 3Gs, iPod Touch (3rd & 4th generation), and iPad. Search "Cornell Lab" in iTunes store to download.

The Bird Watching Answer Bookby Laura Erickson
Storey Publishing
Drawing from the tens of thousands of inquiries that pour into the Cornell Lab each year, author and bird expert Laura Erickson has compiled answers to more than 200 common and not-so-common bird questions. This handy pocket-sized book reads like a conversation with your friendly neighborhood "bird lady" and contains down-to-earth answers to questions about watching and feeding birds, bird behavior, and bird biology. Readers will find plenty of quirky stories and interesting facts tucked into every corner. Retail: Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods
BirdsEye & BirdsEye Lite bird-finding apps
Bird-in-the-Hand LLC
It’s like having thousands of local birding experts at your command. The BirdsEye app for iPhone® and iPod touch® harnesses the power of current data from the Cornell Lab’s eBird program to help users find the birds they want to see—showing where specific species have been reported and providing a map to get there. The app includes images and audio for the 470 most frequently observed birds in North America. Additional content is available for more elusive birds—for a total of 847 species. (BirdsEye Lite features 135 species.) Bird sounds come from the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library archive, images from the VIREO collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Acclaimed birder and author Kenn Kaufman wrote each species account describing habitat where each species is likely to be found. BirdsEye App

Birds and Beans Gift Set
Just in time for the holidays, get more than 25% off this special gift set. It contains a dozen 12-ounce bags of bird-friendly coffee, including Wood Thrush Breakfast Roast, American Redstart Light Roast, Scarlet Tanager French Roast, and more. Ground or whole bean available. Your purchase supports organic shade-grown coffee farms that shelter migratory birds. A portion of the proceeds supports Cornell Lab conservation efforts. ($115, includes shipping) Birds & Beans

Singing Plush BirdsWild Republic

The plush birds in this popular series make great collectibles for children and adults with new species introduced each year. Each bird contains authentic sounds from the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library and is created with colorful anatomical details. From the haunting wail of the Common Loon to the familiar call of the Black-capped Chickadee, these fuzzy friends make a bird in the hand informative and fun. Available from: Wild Birds Unlimited at Sapsucker Woods

Outdoor Success is warming Up

Unlike our fall weather, outdoor pursuits are heating up for area hunters and fishers.

Many don't think of Pointe Mouillie as a deer hunting location but Devin Geiger recently got his buck there. A very nice 9 point.

Terry Middleton headed west for his trophy. This 5 x 5 elk came from Northwest Colorado.

Bill Sugarbaker got his bird in western Monroe county. This is a rare big old bird.

On the fishing side there's Joe Torolski with a black and striped marlin from Cabo.

John Gerlach with a river steelhead by jigging.

 

 My son Justin with his muskie.

Them me with my new inflatable lifejacket and reel.

 

 

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Make it Snappy at Oakwoods Metropark

The native people didn't have it easy back in the day. No shopping decisions to be made because there weren't any stores. Food had to be earned. First with throwing sticks or stones at food.

 Then came the bow and arrow.

 Or you could learn to gather apples.

 

Survival isn't easy. Unless you have Chase watching your back.

You have 20+ explorers handling snapping turtles. What could go wrong?

Nothing actually except for an intimate moment with nature. Baby turtles hatch late summer and have a yoke sack that feeds them for many weeks so they don't even try to eat. So all fingers were safe during this educational exercise.

All the babies were launched successfully. Good job Chase.

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Duck Festival Bigger Than Ever

The Point Mouillie Duck Fest was incredible this year. For $2 parking, a day of constant entertainment could be achieved. From vendors to hip boot races and dog jumping there was never a dull moment. Of course, not having duck weather helped out immensely.

Vendors included Cabela's, Gander Mt. and Knutson's Sporting Goods as the largest ones but many, up to 60 others, had wares for sale from antiques to fine crafted duck calls. The big tent held the crafters, mostly wood carvers of all types, that were selling everything from ducks to humming birds. There was also a kids play area to burn off some energy pent up from shopping at all the stops. Live entertainment had this layout shooting exercise, hip boot racing, bb gun and archery shoot, sling shot contest and duck calling. 

Also the Huron River Jump Dogs were practicing and competing all day.

 

Just a great outdoor happening put on by a lot of people but with a big plug to Joe Robison the southern Michigan waterfowl specialist and Pointe Mouillie Supervisor.

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Hawkfest Delivers

What a wonderful day at Lake Erie Metropark. From the kids’ activities to the professional bird counters there was something for everyone to do. Booths for many birding associations, bird info, seminars, live bird displays and a visit by a pair of bald eagles were some of the happenings.

The bird counters set up by the boat launch area and were busy counting. Over 200,000 birds had been counted in the previous week. Saturday was slow, with the strong breeze out of the south hampering kettling for the raptors. Kettling is a group of raptors soaring in a circle riding the warm air drafts and easing their way south. They don’t get the warm updrafts over water so Lake Erie funnels them to the very location of the Metropark.

I learned birding from my brother Roger, who just recently passed away. After my Dad passed away Rog took me on his family vacations and taught me how to spot birds and what to look for in identifying them. From Colorado to Lower and Upper Michigan I got to see a vast variety of birds. That experience has stayed with me and kept me interested in bird watching. Birding is a great exercise in that it only takes a bird ID book and a pair of binoculars to participate. Once you try it you’ll be hooked.

                            

One of the other things going on during the festival was the banding of raptors. The USFWS had a capture operation set up in the area. With the migration in full swing this is a perfect time for them to do this. A report came in that they had captured and banded a Broad Wing Hawk. Normally they catch smaller raptors like the kestrel so there was much excitement about this. After some info talk the captor was released.

Fly away Rog.

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Lake Erie Metropark's Hawkfest

This is must see fall action. The raptors migrate south and Lake Erie funnels them west, right over LEMP. Hopefully the timing is right so many kettles will be seen drifting south on the drafts of warm air, drafts aren't found on the lake as much so the birds stick to the warmer land. All that's needed is a pass to the park, binoculars, food for a picnic and the need for having a fun time.

See hawks in the sky and meet a few at Lake Erie Metropark’s “24th Annual Hawkfest,” a two-day celebration of the annual fall migration of birds of prey - hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures - on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, from 10 am to 5 pm each day at the Marshlands Museum and Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown.

Programs include talks on birds of prey, including an osprey update, raptor rehabilitation and the Oak Openings Raptor Project. Members of the Michigan Hawking Club will bring hawks and discuss falconry. Live birds of prey will be brought out during special programs by Joe Rogers on Saturday at 10 am and 3 pm, and the Howell Nature Center on Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm. Also, on Sunday, Reg Pettibone’s Native American Hawk Dancers will perform traditional “eagle dances” at 4 pm. Kids can play educational games and make crafts.

Each September, tens of thousands of broad-winged hawks pass over the park, which is designated as an Important Bird Area and one of the premier hawk watching sites in North America. All together, about 16 or 17 different species of migrating birds of prey fly overhead during the fall migration season. Hawk watchers will be counting migrating raptors, and their spotting scopes can be used to take a peek at birds in the sky. Typically, 200,000 birds of prey migrate over Lake Erie Metropark from September through November on their southward journey.

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The River has a Thousand Eyes

Sounds reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone episode, or a good day fishing in the spring when the walleyes are running. No, this is about the new world we live in. Cameras are every where from elevators to the streets of Missouri. Now an unfortunate rule breaker has been caught right at the head of the Detroit River. Fishing for the favored walleye he caught a trash fish, at least in his mind. The trash fish was a musky, not of legal size, so he made sure it wouldn't survive and then threw it back in.

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Everyone should be alarmed by this video, not in the way as it pertains to Ray Rice but in a way that cheapens our natural resources. Musky fishermen and especially musky clubs on both sides of the border are spitting mad about this. Some musky enthusiasts even have long tanks on their boats that they put caught fish in to recover after a long battle. These tanks are very expensive and almost required when fishing when the water is warm. So you can understand their voracity when someone kills one of their future prizes.

The buzz created by the video finally got to the authorities and he will be dealt with thru the proper channels.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/accused-muskie-hater-apologizes-for-killing-fish-and-heated-confrontation

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