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On April 5 I hiked the trails at Muskegon State Park. I ended with 57 species; highlights included 3 Surf Scoter over Lake Michigan and all 7 species of Muskegon woodpeckers. On April 7 I hiked the trails at Hoffmaster State Park and found 48 species. Highlights included one Purple Finch and one winter-plumaged Red-throated Loon over Lake Michigan. New for the year was one Chipping Sparrow. This is a species that gives some Christmas Bird Count compilers the fits, as novice birders often mistake American Tree Sparrows for them at that time of the year. However, in our area, the two species normally overlap by only about 10 days in the fall and again by only about 10 days in the spring. Tree Sparrows are rapidly vacating the Muskegon area right now. Although I have had them in this area as late as May 8, they are very scarce after April 25. Conversely, Chipping Sparrows are almost unprecedented in Muskegon County before April 1.
- Brian Johnson
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