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April 2013

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Subject:
From:
"Kahl, Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Kahl, Steve
Date:
Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:48:29 -0400
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This past week brought close to 4" of rain and below normal temperatures.
However, there is always something to find at the refuge. Western Chorus
Frogs were heard at Green point Environmental Learning Center on two days.
Our first Wood Frogs of the year were heard along Ferguson Bayou Trail. A
lethargic Northern Leopard Frog, seemingly hating the cold, was found at
the Cass River Boat Launch. Similarly, our first Snapping Turtle of the
year was found crossing a trail during the rain and with the temperature
only 42 degrees. That animal was moving very slowly, even for a turtle. Our
first Eastern Garter Snake was found last week as well. Anglers are
catching suckers at the Cass River Boat Launch.

The Weekly Waterbird Survey is showing that the peak of waterfowl migration
is waning. However, there is still a nice variety of waterfowl on the
refuge. Many waterbird species just arrived including Pied-billed Grebe,
Horned Grebe, Common Gallinule, Great Egret, Greater and Lesser Yellowlwgs,
Pectoral Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe and Caspian Tern. The survey results
include Canada Goose - 269, Trumpeter Swan - 2, Tundra Swan - 12, Wood Duck
- 94, American Wigeon - 61, Gadwall - 30, American Black Duck - 99, Mallard
- 654, Blue-winged Teal  - 60, Northern Shoveler - 82, Northern Pintail -
84, Green-winged Teal - 190, Canvasback - 52, Redhead - 43, Ring-necked
Duck - 292, Greater Scaup - 2, Lesser Scaup - 53, Bufflehead - 50, Hooded
Merganser - 23, Common Merganser - 75, Red-breasted Merganser - 5, Ruddy
Duck - 113, Pied-billed Grebe - 12, Horned Grebe - 1, Double-crested
Cormorant - 24, Great Blue Heron - 6, Great Egret - 1, American Coot - 211,
Common Gallinule - 2, Sandhill Crane - 5, Killdeer - 4, Greater Yellowlegs
- 19, Lesser Yellowlegs - 2, Pectoral Sandpiper - 43, Wilson's Snipe - 9,
Caspian Tern - 4.

Scores of white-tailed deer are still being seen around the Bishop Road
Observation Platform, especially in the evening. The small wetland next to
this platform had a nice collection of Blue-winged Teal, Redhead,
Ring-necked Ducks and other waterfowl all week. There is a Bald Eagle nest
on private land visible to the south of Curtis Road. These birds are seen
around the platform as well, even perched in the adjacent dead trees. Other
species seen here multiple times this week include Wilson's Snipe, Northern
Harriers, Common Redpolls (still) and Caspian Terns.

Songbirds that have arrived include yellow-bellied sapsucker,
golden-crowned kinglet, tree swallow, barn swallow, and fox sparrow. The
American Goldfinches around the Headquarters bird feeders are decidedly
more gold. Greater numbers of Rusty Blackbirds are being found.

The rain has raised the rivers to flood stage. Consequently, all of the
refuge's trails are virtually underwater except Ferguson Bayou Trail which
is elevated and dry. There is some sun in the forecast this weekend. Also,
both days should have a southerly component to the wind which should push
in some new migrants. Come on out and tell us what you see. Maybe you'll
find our first butterfly of the season or the first Painted Turtles. Also
keep your eyes open for Blanding's Turtles.

If you want to see a gorgeous (nowhere near an exaggeration) photo of a
drake Green-winged Teal that accompanies this post on our Facebook page, go
to
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shiawassee-National-Wildlife-Refuge/437597322966257.Like
us there and receive these reports and other refuge news
automatically.

Thank you for your interest!
Steven F. Kahl
Refuge Manager
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
6975 Mower Rd.
Saginaw, MI 48603-9783
P (989) 777-5930 ext 16
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/shiawassee/ <http://www.fws/midwest/shiawassee/>
Find us on Facebook!<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shiawassee-National-Wildlife-Refuge/437597322966257>

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