Black-throated Green Warbler at Snug Harbor

There were lots of Black-throated Green Warblers about on Sunday, May 11th. I saw this one at Snug Harbor. I also had a Hooded Warbler at Hoffmaster; unfortunately, it never came down low enough to have its picture taken.

Mike Boston

Blackpoll & Golden-winged Warbler at G.H.

Carol and I took a Mother's Day walk around Linear Park on Harbor Island in Grand Haven today.  Notable among the 33 species were two male Scarlet Tanager (one adult, one first spring), a male Blackpoll Warbler, a male Golden-winged Warbler (the first I've seen since they disappeared years ago from the Muskegon State Game Area), 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 7 Palm Warbler, 5 White-crowned Sparrow, a Sandhill Crane and a Peregrine Falcon on the smokestack nest box.

- Ric

Friday Photos of Ibis and Orchard Oriole

Dan Lockard sends these photos taken on Friday of the Wastewater Ibis and an Orchard Oriole.

Willet at Muskegon County Wastewater

Carol and I birded Muskegon County Wastewater and found this Willet on the north side of the large west lagoon.  We also had Sanderling and a flock of 20 Wilson's Phalaropes.

- Charlie DeWitt

Saturday Full of Birds

Some of us conducted North American Migration Counts today for Brian Johnson (who spent his day counting at SGA; he may post his sightings later).

I had 39 species at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve including Least Flycatcher, Black-and-White, Orange-crowned, Blue-winged and Nashville Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, and three American White Pelicans on the sandbar in Muskegon Lake southwest of the preserve.

Later along the easement from Quarterline Road to Black Creek in Fruitport Township I counted 37 species including Least and Great Crested Flycatchers, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos (and probably Blue-headed, but could not find the source of the singing), Ovenbird, American Redstart, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided Warblers, (and probably Northern Waterthrush, but could not find the source of the singing) and the morning's highlight: a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers tending their nest.

- Ric

Meanwhile, Travis Dewys writes: "I spent some time at Wastewater today in search of the White-faced Ibis that has been recorded there this week.  No luck, but I was still able to get some decent photos of some spring birds.  I really need to stop driving 30 miles to hopefully see one bird.  I was also able to find my first Bay-breasted Warbler and my first Virginia Rail that I actually saw, not just heard."

Travis's photos are of Dunlin, Green Heron, and what looks like one of the Dowitcher species.

Wednesday Photo of the Wastewater Ibis

Tod Van Wieren of Grand Ledge photographed the Wastewater Ibis on Wednesday.  Thanks to Tod for sending us this photo.

Ibis Still at Wastewater on Friday

Marc Miedema, one of the two observers of the Ibis posted below, sends this photo taken on Wednesday.  He apologized unnecessarily for the quality of the photo taken with his phone; I think this image may be good enough for someone who knows these birds to tell us whether it's a glossy or white-faced.  If you can, please post your comment here.  Thanks.

Meanwhile Dave Elbrecht phoned to say an Ibis (presumably the same bird) was in the Wastewater rapid filtration lagoons near B-10 this afternoon.

- Ric

And Now a Scarlet Tanager Too

Dan Lockard photographed this Scarlet Tanager (a species many of us hope to see this week as well) on the Wastewater properties yesterday.

Indigo Buntings and Yellow-throated Vireo

Kathryn Mork had an Indigo Bunting on her feeder this morning; Carol and I had two first-spring males on our feeder this afternoon.  This morning a Yellow-throated Vireo moved through the tops of our trees.  Still lots of Baltimore Orioles, a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and one male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

- Ric

Ibis at Wastewater / Beauty at Feeders

I have heard two reports of an Ibis at the Wastewater yesterday morning after the rain.  If either of those folks sends me photos, I'll post them here.  Otherwise there may be reports and photos at eBird.

Meanwhile Dan Lockard sends these beautiful photos of species that are appearing at our feeders these days (see previous post): male Baltimore Oriole and male Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

- Ric

Good Birds Here and There!

Carol and I have had remarkable numbers and quality of spring birds in our yard yesterday and today: at least one House Wren, several Yellow-rumped Warblers, 7 male and 1 female Baltimore Oriole, 2 male and 1 female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 male Ruby-throated Hummingbird and 2 male and 1 female Orchard Oriole (a yard lifer).  - Ric

Meanwhile Ken Sapkowski emails this message and photo:

Charlie DeWitt and I birded Messenger Road at the Muskegon State Game Area yesterday, (4 warbler species), and then checked out the Wastewater for shorebirds.  There were about 35 of them in the low water aeration cell, mostly peeps with some Dunlin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and one Stilt Sandpiper.

Palm Warbler at the Causeway

May 5 Email:

Lots of warblers on the Causeway.  This Palm Warbler was in the Causeway park.  - Carol Cooper

Painted Turtles & White-eyed Vireo on Friday

Each spring, I attempt to complete a Painted Turtle Survey along the Maple River in the Muskegon State Game Area. Parameters necessary for obtaining a representative total include sunny skies, reasonably warm temperatures, and light winds. Counting when no other hikers are present (to minimize disturbance) and prior to leaf emergence (to assist detection) is also crucial.

On Friday, April 25, I recorded 102 Painted Turtles. This figure is down from the previous average of 142. While simple detectability may play a role in annual variation, the lower numbers this year may have stemmed from fewer basking sites due to higher water levels, or there may have been a real population loss due to the long and cold winter. I also encountered a single Blanding's Turtle.

Bird highlights during the hike included very good counts of Greater Yellowlegs (51) and Wilson's Snipe (37). I also observed a White-eyed Vireo - a species not seen in Muskegon County every year - foraging silently in thick brush near the MSGA headquarters.

- Brian Johnson

Dunlin at the Muskegon County Wastewater

Carol and I found this Dunlin at the Muskegon County Wastewater today.  Photo By Carol DeWitt

- Charlie DeWitt

Virginia Rail on the Musketawa Trail

This Virginia Rail was in the marsh area next to the Musketawa Trail at Swanson Road on Wednesday evening, 4/30/14.

- Mike Boston