The last week of March - finally!

  • By Bruce Glick
  • March 27, 2014
  • 354
                        
The last week of March - finally! Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This week Bruce has an update on the spring migration. Read more about it in the "Gone Birding" column. It's been another good week for observing migrant waterfowl. With a lot of ice on Lake Erie, inland birding has been good. The same is true here in northern Indiana where the small lake near our house has offered the only open water in the area other than rivers (the lake is actually just a fast-moving river which has been dammed up). Upward of 400 diving ducks have kept us busy for several weeks. I talked to a friend here in Goshen who did some ice fishing on Lake Erie two weeks ago. He showed me photos of some large Walleyes. Evidently there were several thousand ice shanties still operating at the time on the western section of the big lake. All our local lakes are still frozen here as of March 27, meaning that waterfowl migration will essentially be over by the time the ice melts. Yesterday I walked around Fidler's Pond here in Goshen. Although it was still frozen and covered with several inches of fresh snow, the reason for my visit was to get some exercise and watch the sky for possible migrant hawks. The wind had switched and was out of the south, although the temperature was still in the 30s. During my hour there, a total of six Turkey Vultures came through, all of them heading straight north. A Northern Harrier circled briefly before continuing on the northward journey. Three high-flying Sandhill Cranes were headed northeast. Later, a young Bald Eagle came directly over the pond. Later that evening at home, three more Turkey Vultures floated by, quite low, possibly looking for a place to spend the night. I kept track of all the different birds seen or heard from our place during the day. From our house we have a partial view of the lake, and with so many ducks, geese and grebes, the list grew quickly. Two Common Loons and almost all of the ducks were spending a lot of time diving. The fishing must have been good. The only new bird was a lovely Red-necked Grebe. Although I've been seeing them 30 miles away at Pigeon River Wildlife Area, this was the first one I've ever seen at home. By the end of the day the yard list had reached 45, most of them seen from inside the house. This morning 90% of the ducks were gone, evidently taking advantage of the south wind for the next leg of their journey. I've enjoyed seeing Sandhill Cranes almost every day. They can be heard in any wetland, as well as flying overhead this time of year. Last week a pair of Sandhills were walking in a field close to a rural road. I stopped and waited as both birds walked toward the car, crossed the road and continued into the next field. They paid little attention to the car. Again I was amazed at how beautiful these large birds are. A number of Whooping Cranes have also stopped in western Indiana along their migration route. These birds are part of the eastern population being established from released cranes. They seem to be doing well. Next week I'll take a look at the progress of spring migration as we enter April. This is a great time of year as new growth is everywhere and the songs of birds are in the air. Enjoy! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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