We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
20485 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 881-1410
Fax: (313) 881-2008
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Comments:
Free parking available at rear of store.
We had a lovely mix of brand new birders as well as experienced attendees at the Bird Walk on January 24th. Blue skies peeked out behind the clouds and temperatures were bearable. Everyone was in good spirits and anxious to spend some time out-of-doors.
We trekked over to Bird Island, which was desolate looking, and not much of anything was seen as the ice was scanned, except for some brave Herring Gulls. Our efforts were rewarded as we made our way back and stopped to scan the pilings across the water. A female Peregrine Falcon was perched on a light post! Then she took off and most observers were able to view her pointed wings and strong, steady flaps as she headed along the shore. This is definitely Peregrine territory! Our thoughts were that she was looking for ducks.
As we made our way back and crossed behind the Activities Center, we found a robin. In the past few years, we have noticed that the number of robins that stay in the area is increasing, most likely due to the presence of an abundance of fruit on trees and shrubs such as Hawthorne, crabapple, and holly. We also located a small group of woodland birds including a few black-capped chickadees, a downy woodpecker, and a pair of white-breasted nuthatches. The youngster in our group, who was out birding for the first time, had a great observation about the nuthatch. The bird was making its way across a branch, traveling along the underside. This young man promptly noted that it was an "anti-gravity bird".
The property next to the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House has great habitat for birds and has always been fruitful during our Bird Walks. This day was no exception. We heard a Cooper's hawk although we were not able to find it. A group of black-capped chickadees kept us entertained as they flitted back and forth across the walkway. We also had a co-operative Brown Creeper and shared our knowledge with newer participants about the fact that this bird survives by eating only insects during the winter. With a long, probing bill, it must find enough hidden protein to keep alive through these low temperatures.
We had awesome looks at a Red-bellied woodpecker that was visiting a feeder at the property next to the Ford House. When we watched him, we were elevated and our view of him below was amazingly colorful.
When we arrived at the lake, it looked like we would have nothing out on the ice. Bill Rapai's sharp eyes and scanning with the telescope paid off as he located an immature Bald Eagle. When the bird turned sideways, it was apparent that he was eating something on the ice. Our view was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away but the size of the bird and the massive beak were impressive even at that distance. It's amazing to think that a bird can survive in the middle of a severe winter habitat and proves the strength and hardiness of eagles under these trying conditions.
With sunny winter skies, happy participants and co-operative birds, the foray into winter was a great way to bring People and Nature together.
