Led By: Steve Minard

This is planned a winter trip to search for winter birds such as Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, and Snow Bunting.  These can be quite nomadic and hard to find, so we’ll try to cover lots of territory to look for them.  We’ll search fields in northern Ottawa County and Muskegon County northwest of Grand Rapids.  We’ll probably check some of the Crockery Creek bottom lands looking for Red-shouldered Hawk.  If conditions permit, we'll try to include the Muskegon Wastewater in our search.  Expect to spend most of the time in the car searching the fields for anything different.  Birders of all skills are welcome.

Essentials: Meet at the Boy Scout Headquarters west off Walker Road just north of I-96 at 8:00 AM.  We plan to bird until noon, you may want to bring a snack to hold you over until lunch.

Safety Hazards: Cold weather and slippery winter driving are the main hazards.  As with winter trips in particular, bad weather may cancel the trip.  Driving in a caravan can be hazardous.  Get directions from the leader for travel to the next stop.  Please exercise caution on the roads at all times, and watch the car ahead of you when driving in a caravan.  Please have a passenger handle all radio or phone communications while in a car.