Hello Birders, I spent a few hours at Ojibway Park today. Ojibway is a prairie habitat and as such it undergoes a "controlled burn" on a recurring basis. The grassy areas are now charred remnants of grasses, golden rods, asters etc. These areas are very open now with the missing understory of plants. This gives better views of birds that are in the area. Whether more are about now or more can be easily seen is debatable. Regardless of this birding is very good.
FOS: Chipping Sparrows can be seen at the feeding station and along the grassy (formerly grassy ? ) areas. Ruby Crowned Kinglets are moving in the thickets with Golden Crowned cousins. I had a great viewing of a Cooper's Hawk in the wooded section. This bird was quite tame by my previous experiences with hawks. I was able to approach to about 30 feet or so. The bird remained perched and called frequently. At about 5:30 I ventured to the more burned section of the prairie complex for a quick look. While watching some Ruby Crowns I looked to my left to see a deer, but obviously not a white tail. In fact two deer; one a dark brown the other pure white. I believe these are Fallow Deer. I had heard they are escapes from an animal park on or about Bob Lo Island in the Detroit River. Apparently they make a break for it and swim the river to freedom. Anyway this all made for yet another interesting day here. A tame Cooper's, the "burn" and Fallow Deer. Interesting day all round. Mark Conlon Lasalle "Mark Conlon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
