Although I was able to open nets for
three days in August, I was unable to run the banding station at
Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (MLNP) on a consistent basis until September
3. A lot of neotropical migrants have already passed southward by this date, and some species (e.g. Yellow Warbler) have vacated completely, but most of these long-distance voyagers peak in September, Plus, oddities and rarities, like these pictured below, keep things interesting.
Distributed similarly to Louisiana Waterthrush and Prothonotary Warbler, the Hooded Warbler reaches the northern extent of its Michigan breeding range in Muskegon County. A few Hooded Warblers regularly breed at Hoffmaster State Park, but sightings further north tend to be more sporadic. A territorial male at the north boundary of Duck Lake State Park has provided my most northerly record for the past two years. However, this immature male, netted on September 12 and pictured above, was the first that I have banded at MLNP.
Due to the highly disturbed and regenerating forest habitat at MLNP, warblers
that prefer understories tend to be more prevalent than those that more often frequent canopies. Consequently, the
complement of warblers at the preserve varies considerably from the
parks along Lake Michigan. For example, Northern Waterthrush,
Orange-crowned, Nashville, Mourning, Magnolia, and Wilson Warblers
tend to be common at MLNP, whereas Northern Parula, Cape May,
Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, and Black-throated
Green Warblers are much scarcer. Ensconced in the latter category is
Bay-breasted Warbler. Caught on September 9, this individual is, amazingly, the
first that I have banded at MLNP.
One species that is infrequent but expected at MLNP is Connecticut Warbler. Both in 2011 and 2012, I only banded one, and this individual from September 11 may fill this year's quota. The latest I have caught any at the preserve has been October 6.
- Brian Johnson
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