Counting birds at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve for the traditional spring migratory bird census this morning felt like a Christmas Bird Count. Temperatures barely climbed into the forties. Besides the weather, the condition of the preserve wasn't very bird-friendly either.
More than a year of high water and foliage removal have left large areas of the preserve looking like a city park after a tornado. A crew was working this morning planting new saplings.
Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere, along with good numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers (17) and Palm Warblers (11) -- most of these foraging low or on the ground. However, other than resident birds (Yellow Warblers and Common Yellow-throats), I saw no other warblers, and precious few migrants.
Among the 37 total species were Green Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawk, Tree and Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren, White-throated Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole.
- Ric
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