TRAIL REPORT & RECENT OBSERVATIONS

RECENT OBSERVATIONS

• We have had two separate confirmed sightings of a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl in a bird box near the viewing tower in Paul's Woods! This may be the same red morph that has been sighted at the bird box by the feeders next to the interpretive building, so keep an eye open the next time you trek the Paul's Woods trail! (01/11/2026)
• The Evening Grosbeaks are proving to be popular for birders and casual visitors alike! We have noticed that they are most active at our feeders and in the trees surrounding the interpretive building during the mornings when we put out fresh black oil sunflower seeds on our flat platform feeders. If you come early, you may catch a sighting! (01/11/2026)
• In spite of the freezing rain making this year's Audubon Christmas Bird Count a challenge at the nature center, our naturalists were fortunate enough to photograph a group of Evening Grosbeaks who visited the feeders off the library. Evening Grosbeak sightings are unusual in the area at this time of year, but not unheard of, so it was a special treat to see these large and beautiful finches up close! (12/27/2025)
• UPDATE! It appears that as of Dec. 18th, the red morph Eastern Screech-Owl is still nestled in the nest box outside our library feeders, and graced us with a fine portrait! (12/20/2025)
• On Dec. 7th, our naturalists spotted an Eastern Screech-Owl poking it's head out of a wood duck box mounted near our bird feeders off the library. What makes this one special is that it is of the red morph variety, and not very common to this area! Eastern Screech-Owls readily accept nest boxes, though the last owl to occupy this same box last year (a more common grey morph), only occupied the box for about a week before moving on. Perhaps we'll see it again; and we've got our scope positioned in a good spot just in case! (12/13/2025)
  
• Bald Eagles have been spotted over the ponds today. As the open waters of Northern Michigan begin to freeze over, eagles will expand their range, seeking other open waterways to hunt. (11/29/2025)

Seven Ponds Nature Photo Gallery