[Ontbirds] Male Western Tanager, Northern Mockingbird, Marbled Godwit - Sault Ste. Marie, ON

[McIlwrick, Ken]

Hi folks,
 
Between 6:15pm and 7:15pm tonight (May 7, 2008) I observed and photographed an adult male Western Tanager (that was actually first spotted by Jack Jones who was walking his dog) that was actively feeding on bugs at the tip of Topsail Island near Belleview Park, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It once flew within 3 feet of me and seemed totally unconcerned about my presence. The bird was subsequently observed by David Bell and Robert and Joanne Knudsen (well known, active birders in the area).
 
Topsail Island is located off the eastern end of Belleview Park, which itself is located at the end of Lake Street in Sault Ste. Marie.
 
The Marbled Godwit that I first reported yesterday was still present as of 6:30pm in the same bay just east of Belleview Park (see posting from yesterday).
 
Today at 12:30pm I also observed a Northern Mockingbird on the eastern tip of Whitefish Island which is part of the Rapids complex of the St. Mary's River, in Sault Ste. Marie.
 
David Bell indicated he could not find the Mockingbird at around 6:00pm tonight but he had a Lesser Black-backed Gull in the waters in this same general location.
 
Ken McIlwrick
Sault Ste. Marie, ON