NAMC Results from Muskegon SP and SGA

For the annual North American Migration Count, my coverage in Muskegon County comprises Muskegon State Park thru the early part of the day and Muskegon State Game Area in the afternoon and evening. Considering their size and habitat diversity, both areas offer outstanding birding, and given decent weather, a great list can be obtained. Unfortunately, rain and fog hindered my success this year.

I birded 7.8 miles of trails at Muskegon State Park and ended with 85 species. At Muskegon SGA, I hiked 7.1 miles at three locations (Little Cedar Creek, Headquarters/Maple River loop, and Lane's Landing) and accrued 71 species. A late arrival and a cacophony of Spring Peepers and Gray Treefrogs at Lane's Landing marsh severely limited that count. Otherwise, the day was reasonably eventful, and despite the weather, I finished with 105 species.

Highlights at Muskegon State Park:

Long-tailed Duck - 1

Caspian Tern - 3

Black-billed Cuckoo - 1

Great Horned Owl - 2

Prothonotary Warbler - 1

Cape May Warbler - 1

Blackburnian Warbler - 6

Purple Finch - 1

Pine Siskin - 223

The Great Horned Owl double consisted of an adult and a soggy juvenile (pictured above) sitting out the rain in the sand dunes.

Highlights at Muskegon State Game Area:

Northern Harrier - 1

Barred Owl - 4

Whip-poor-will - 1

Sedge Wren - 1

American Redstart - 13

Cerulean Warbler - 1

Grasshopper Sparrow - 4

The Barred Owls represented pairs on opposite sides of the Muskegon River.

While a lot was missed (especially among non-passerines), warblers were particularly diverse. I encountered 20 species, which represents all the reasonably common species that can be seen around Muskegon on May 9. (Next weekend, an equivalent number will be about 27.)

Finally, after last week's skulking Sedge Wren at Beechwood Park, the territorial male pictured above proved far more aggressive and provided a better photo.

- Brian Johnson