Bird watchers count 66 species at lakes

More than 50 volunteers counted 22,735 birds of 66 species in the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count, one of the oldest conservation events in the world.
Three American Bald Eagles were spotted near Independence Oaks and Addison Oaks county parks.
Open water on most of the lakes bolstered the species list to include some diving ducks, such as the Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser. One unique species spotted was a Glaucous Gull.
Volunteers from Oakland County Parks and Recreation and the Michigan State University Extension programs assisted Education Resource Specialist Kathleen Dougherty in an area that included Orion Oaks.
Dougherty, along with two feeder watchers, observed 34 different species.?
For more information, visit OaklandAudubon.org or DestinationOakland.com.