Checklist S61661458
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Totals
Observations
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 2
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Number observed: 350
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 1
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 9
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 1
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 2
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 1
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Number observed: 17
Details
Groups of 8 and 9.
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: 4
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Number observed: 40
Details
Big influx of birds.
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Number observed: X
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Number observed: X
Details
As I approached the tallest Douglas Fir in the backside evergreen lot (along the harbor edge, west of the white pavilion), I happened to see a pale owl looking back at me. It had a rounded 'heart-shaped' face, was medium sized. It seemed to be uncomfortable with the other birds chirping around it as well as my presence, so it took off flying northward, whereupon I was able to see its nice amber-golden upper plumage. It's flight was not like the wing-snapping flight of a Short-eared Owl, more like a Night-heron in flight. Bird had rounded wings. ID overall was pretty straightforward. While super rare, this is still around the time that fall migrant birds have been recorded along Lake Michigan.
I watched this owl fly northward and hundreds of gulls got spooked up in flight in the open parking lot/grassy areas north of here (as they no doubt felt initial threat like it was a predator). I was ultimately able to go around the fence line and watch as the bird was chased northward, ultimately watching from Seahorse Drive looking northward, where this owl crossed over the 'asbestos hill' and went into IBSP South unit property. My guess is that it found an Austrian Pine to roost in for the rest of the day in the IBSP pine lot.
This was #261 species for my Lake County Big Year, which just so happened to break the 19 year old former 260 record for this county. It was a lifer memory finding this rarity and have it represent a record-breaking Big Year species!