At My Pond

While this American Robin was trying to get breakfast ...

... a family of Tree Swallows was doing the same.

But why catch your own ...

 ... when Mom will shove a dragonfly down your throat?

Yum!

- Don Neumann

High Water Saturday Morning

A huge bucket-loader was filling the 3rd St. and Coho Dr. intersection on Harbor Island yesterday morning where water had been over the pavement.  This mama Mallard hid on high water in the woods away from the marsh:

All 23 bird species were common including Willow Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, and this female Red-winged Blackbird clucking to her kids that she had a treat:

At the Hofma Preserve I found 18 species during an abbreviated stay.  (Not wearing waders, I didn't make it to the marsh boadwalk.):

Eighteen woodland species included Wood Duck (a female squeaking repeatedly), Veery and Rose-breasted Grosbeak; nothing remarkable except a beautiful morning walk!

Plover Update

Carol Cooper reports that the fourth Piping Plover egg was taken to the University of Michigan Biological Station Sunday night and hatched successfully on Monday.  The remaining three chicks at the state park were still doing fine as of last night under the care of their dad.  Unfortunately still no sign of their mom.

Plover Update

Carol Cooper reports today that the young female of the pair of Piping Plovers at the state park has disappeared, but so far the male (8-years old who was also the male last year) seems to be tending to the family (two chicks already).  Carol says it's possible the plover authorities may have to come in and take the chicks, but so far that hasn't been necessary.

Roger Newell's Report and Photos

Roger Newell grew up near the south Wastewater properties.  He lives in Florida now and is active in large-bird rehabilitation.  On his annual trips back up here we usually find a day to bird together (see May 30 post below).  He also visits other parts of Michigan on his trips.  On Friday he emailed:

Hi Ric,

In spite of the rain and high water, I was able to tie my record for most species on one of my trips (124).  I got 2 Michigan Life birds (American White Pelican and Black-and-White Warbler) and 4 LIFE BIRDS (glimpse of a Virginia Rail at Hofma Preserve), Evening Grosbeak at Hartwick Pines State Park, Clay-colored Sparrow near Gaylord, and finally a Kirtland's Warbler near Gaylord).  I was also able to see and get a lousy picture of a male Ruffed Grouse at Lanes Landing (saw one on two different days).  Will send some pictures later.  Thanks again for birding with me. 

Rog Newell

Yesterday he sent many of his photos, several of which are posted below.  Most were taken around here.  Enjoy!

- Ric

Red-necked Phalarope

Magnolia Warbler

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Hermit Thrush

Eared Grebes

Black-billed Cuckoo

Veery

Redhead

Cross-billed Bald Eagle at Pentwater

Yellow-throated Vireo

Quick shot of Ruffed Grouse on the Lane's Landing road.

Clay-colored Sparrow at Gaylord

Kirtland's Warbler near Hartwick Pines State Park

Beautiful Morning: The Usual Suspects

"Just" a Grasshopper Sparrow

Hoping for a Year Bird, I walked along a field on the south Wastewater properties this morning.  When a sparrow popped into sight, I thought it might be #170.  No such luck.  "Just" a Grasshopper Sparrow.  I also counted Warbling Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Horned Lark, Eastern Meadowlark, Upland Sandpiper and Eastern Kingbird among the 21 species.

Then I drove out to Patterson Park for a beautiful stroll along Rio Grande Creek.  Eighteen bird species included Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe (of course), and American Redstart.

- Ric

Three Unrelated Items from Thursday

1.  Regarding "Miscellaneous Stuff from Friday" posted below, here is a photo from yesterday (6/13/19) of one of the Peregrine Falcon chicks wearing Nik's jewelry:

2.  Carol Cooper emailed an appropriate way to watch the Piping Plovers:  "We are having a tent set up near the plover nesting area with info, and a scope for viewing.  Stickers will be available.  Just on the weekends, but we are watching as much as possible." 

3.  Ken Sapkowski emailed that there's a report on eBird of a Henslow's Sparrow at the Wastewater.

- Ric

Miscellaneous Stuff from Friday

Carl England from Chicago accompanied me to a few birding areas on Friday morning.  At DNR headquarters we happened to see Nik Kalejs who was planning to band the Peregrine Falcon chicks at the Harbor Island box later that day.  Below is an image from the webcam of the two chicks (bird on left partially covering bird on right).  Click here to watch them live.  (When they stand, you can sometimes see their new jewelry.)

This mama Snapping Turtle was laying eggs near Nik's office.

Later Carl and I birded Lane's Landing and the Wastewater properties.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Eastern Kingbirds were again nesting in the "Kingbird Tree" (Laketon at Seba south of Apple Ave.) and an Orchard Oriole perched in the tree briefly.  

Carl took pictures.  If he sends some, we'll post them here.

- Ric