Clinton Lake; De Witt Co; 11/06/09

[frake...@aol.com]

Greetings, everyone --

 

I spent about 6 hours at Clinton Lake today. Things had definitely cleared out since our survey last Sunday, both on land and on the water (notice 36 species today versus 72 on Sunday). The Lake was owned by Ring-billed Gulls (2000 plus), Bonaparte's Gulls (500 plus) , and Common Loons, of which I had 24.

 

Despite the dearth of diversity, the day was beautiful. I had two interesting sightings today. Unfortunately, one involved Sternus vulgaris -- I had a Starling with a white tail just like an Eastern Meadowlark, complete with the split. At first, I just figured I had a meadowlark that was taking its Genus title just a little bit too seriously -- but then I realized it was actually a Starling with a leucistic (I think?) tail. I tried to photograph it, but whiffed. I'm thinking Cooper's souffle....

 

The other interesting observation I made today, and I just don't think I recall noting this previously (I would be interested on generating some discussion on this), was watching small flocks of Bonaparte's Gulls associatively feeding with Common Loons. On at least 6 different Loons, I watched Bonaparte's Gulls (usually 1 to 6 Gulls) stay with the Loon to find fish. Here's how it would work. When the Loon was up, the gull(s) would alight on the water by the Loon. When the Loon went under to feed, the Gulls would take flight and follow the Loon under water, going after fish the Loon was spooking. It was very interesting -- I could actually tell where the Loon was by the gulls following it.

 

Here is an "iphoniscoped" film about 2 minutes long I made from 'The Lookout" of this interaction.  Forgive the quality -- I was not shooting for an Emmy here. But if you manage to get through the whole thing without a migraine or nausea (or both), you will see how the group reacts to the Loon under water, and how they "find" for the viewer where the Loon is coming up.:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffDGy7_9OJI&feature=youtube_gdata 

 

Totals are below.

 

Matt Fraker

De Witt Co

11/06/09 

 

 

Location:     Clinton lake
Observation date:     11/6/09
Number of species:     36

Canada Goose     11
American Wigeon     4
Mallard     27
Redhead     8
Ring-necked Duck     1
Ruddy Duck     35
Ring-necked Pheasant     2
Common Loon     24
Pied-billed Grebe     8
Horned Grebe     3
Double-crested Cormorant     2
Great Blue Heron     3
Turkey Vulture     34
Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern)     10
American Kestrel     2
Killdeer     12
Bonaparte's Gull     518
Ring-billed Gull     2097
Herring Gull     1
Mourning Dove     5
Belted Kingfisher     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     2
Downy Woodpecker     1
Hairy Woodpecker     2
Blue Jay     7
American Crow     36
Black-capped Chickadee     1
Carolina Wren     1
Eastern Bluebird     3
American Robin     1
European Starling     510
American Pipit     15
Northern Cardinal     3
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
American Goldfinch     3
House Sparrow     21