Went to Inter-Urban Pathway pond, near Okemos Road. Upon entering the trail from the side path, found a small flock of cedar waxwings feeding on berries in a bush. Upon reaching the pond, saw mainly Canada geese and mallards. In shallow water in west end of pond, found a half-dozen green-winged teals (as well as a few young male mallards). Spotted a male American wigeon at northwest back of pond, along with a nondescript brown duck presumed to be a female wigeon. Wood ducks (1 male 2 female) spotted at back center of pond.
As I was leaving, heard, and then spotted, a Virginia rail; it made two peeps in quick sequence, not “kiddick, kiddick” call, so I believe it was a female, but am not certain. It was perched mid-way up a tuft of cat-tails, clinging to the reeds, and was somewhat obscured from view, though I saw its face, including its orange bill, as well as its reddish breast and the white-striped black of its flanks, so ID was quite certain. After I’d seen it for a perhaps half a minute, perhaps less, it dropped down into the reeds and out of view. This is the first rail I’d ever seen.
Upon entering car, heard a Eastern wood-pewee call twice from a tree in the neighborhood. I was surprised to hear it so late in the year, and in a suburban tree, but the call was unmistakable.
Saw a pair of bald eagles flying through trees at intersection of Park Lake and Lake Landing roads on way home.
Went to Inter-Urban Pathway pond, Lake Lansing, and the Corey Marsh, making a duck-seeking tour.
Chilly day, but not too bad.
At Inter-Urban Pathway pond, saw much fewer ducks than the week before; saw 4 female hooded mergansers at back of pond, and one female wood duck amidst fallen logs in east end of pond, but otherwise all geese and mallards. Perhaps heard rail from last week but probably not.
At Lake Lansing, saw many ducks at great distance. Two male and two female hooded mergansers far to north of dock. Southeast of dock had several dozen gulls, all presumed to be ring-billed, but which could not be examined clearly. Watched as a trio of gadwalls flew in among them. Saw a strange mix of ducks out to east of docks: one was clearly a male scaup, several were unidentifiable brown ducks, two had conspicuous white marks on face, one had brown head, white throat, red bill. This last I determined was a female common merganser; it strated from the others after a bit. The female greater scaup has a large white face mark, larger than that of lesser scaup or ring-necked duck, so I believe the white spotted ducks and the male scaup were greater scaups. Unsure what the brown ducks were.
At Corey Marsh, saw two buteos riding thermals to the south of the trailhead. Hard to see clearly, but the tail of one looked reddish, so I believe these were both red-tailed hawks. Proceeded to open pond, where many different ducks were present along north edge. These were too far away to clearly see, but I was able to positively ID green-winged teals, a shoveler, a redhead, mallards, and a pintail. This was, I believe, a male, based on palish neck; he wasn't in breeding plumage, so no long tail, but was quite recognizable by his slenderness and long neck. This was only the second time I'd seen a pintail, and the first I'd seen one unobstructed, albeit from very far away.
As I left the marsh, I resolved to get a spotting scope. Too much of the day was spent straining to see things through binoculars.
Went to Hawk Meadow; did not see many ducks besides mallards, about a dozen in the pond. Water level in the pond was extremely low after a largely dry Fall.
Did see a small flock of white-throated sparrows in a stretch of trees and brush.