Red Bellied Woodpecker

Some maps show this area of Michigan as the northern range of the red bellied woodpecker; they traditionally inhabit most of the eastern/southeastern US. The female has red from the top of her head down back to the nape of her neck; the male has that plus additional red in front down to his beak. We've seen them eat suet, mixed seed and sunflower seed from the feeders and from the ground in company of other birds. Along with the downy and hairy woodpeckers, the red bellies hide chunks on suet in the trees for later retrieval. This link will give you more info on these birds: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker_dtl.html

-Rich Krieger, Lake Bluff

Siskin 'invasion'

These little birds in the finch family are pine siskins. The two females shown here are eating nyjer seed from a feeder on the front lawn at Lake Bluff...and they have a real fondness for nyjer. A group of about 16-18 has been hanging around for a couple weeks now. I was within an arm's reach of the feeder when I took this foto. I approached slowly and they seemed unconcerned. To learn about this bird, go to the Cornell site at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Pine_Siskin.html

-Rich Krieger

Manistee Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14th.

Join us this Saturday for the Christmas Bird Count. We will survey the bird population of our area from early morning till dusk. Field parties will meet at the Blue Slipper Coffee Shop in Onekama at 12:30 to get warmed up and then hit the field again until 5:30 when the compilation dinner starts at the Allen's at 5539 Bar Lake Rd.
RSVP.

To join the count contact Brian Allen at 723-9911 office, or 723-7956 home. Feeder observers contact Don Kogut at 723-5928.

Results will be posted here in January.

Christmas at Lake Bluff

On Saturday, December 6, the Manistee Chapter of Michigan Audubon and Resident Managers, Rich and Deb Krieger, hosted "A Chickadee Christmas." The open house event featured book and candy sales, as well as interactive learning opportunities for families and kids. Despite the wintry weather, we had visitors from as far away as Grand Rapids.

Of course, Lake Bluff's avian visitors were out in terrific numbers. Red- and White-Breasted Nutatches, English House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Tufted Titmouse, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, and Juncos were all seen on Saturday. Click here for a YouTube video of visitors at the feeder:

Birds at Lake Bluff (YouTube)