Snow Goose arriving at Middle Creek Wildlife Area

It was a rather warm February day with tempos in the upper 50F...and with snow forecast for tomorrow..I decided to spend a few hours at my favorite birding location.

Tundra Swans

Looking out over main lake from Stop 1

arriving around 1:15p at stop 12 to check the main and visitors center ponds. There where Gadwall, Ring Necked Ducks, several hundred Tundra Swans, and several Black ducks...to name a few. 

After spending about 45 mins scoping the ponds and surrounding area and adding 2 immature Bald Eagles and a pair of Red Tailed Hawks to the growing list..I next drove to the boat dock to scope the back section of the lake.

Amer Widgeon

More Tundra swans

 Arriving at the boat dock to look at about 15,000 Snow goose on the lake, with many more coming and going..a real spectacle of white and black wing tips.

Looking over lake from Willow Point

There where also about 100 Red Breasted Mergansers, a pair oif Pin-tails and several hundred Canada Geese. I scoped the flocks looking the previously reported Greater White Fronted Goose..but alas no luck...although several Blue Phase Snow Goose had me looking very closing at them,

Snow Geese

Ring Necked Duck...at Willow Point

I next walked the Willow Point Trail...to get a closer look at the Snow Geese and to see if I could spot the Adult Bald Eagles on the nest...but the adults where no where to be seen.

Red Breasted Mergansers

 I did have add several dozens more Pintails and Gadwalls to the species count list.

I left after 2 1/2 hours with a species count of 28.

Until next time....good birding