10-28-2023 Artemis in Muskegon

We learned that Artemis, one of the Peregrine youngsters from this year, was seen at the Muskegon Wastewater Facility.  A local birder got an excellent photo with a very clear band number.  This is a great location for our young hunter because it attracts many birds (and birders) and will provide a good source of food and open water. The Muskegon facility is located adjacent to the Muskegon State Game Area, which helps draw birds to the wastewater system. The variety of habitat at the Wastewater System includes over 1,000 acres of even-aged conifer and dryland white and black oak woodlots; over 5,000 acres cropland; 20 miles of drainage ditches, 60 acres of treatment ponds, 11 miles of shoreline around 1,700 acres of storage lagoons; a few hundred acres of natural upland grasslands; and assorted wetland marshes and potholes. Because of this, the 11,000-acre treatment plant is considered one of the best birding sites in Michigan. At least 256 species of birds have been documented at the facility (two-thirds of all species ever recorded in Michigan). Tens of thousands of geese and ducks spend part of the winter at the site, sharing the area with Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings, plovers, sandpipers, and dozens of other bird species.

Artemis is the Goddess of the Hunt and she has apparently mastered that skill by now. It is always very exciting to hear good news about one of our young bids. It is impossible to predict how long she may stay there but we hope to hear about more sightings.