Trip Report: Kirtland's Warbler - MI weekend trip - 2013 May 25 - 27
A group of 11 Chicago area birders joined me in pursuit of the Kirtland"s Warbler in Grayling, and in exploring birds in Iosco County, Michigan, over Memorial Day weekend. We were joined by Bill Rapai, the author of "The Kirtland's Warbler" for dinner on Sunday and a field trip on Monday. In three days, we saw 130 different species of birds, including Piping Plovers, Ruffed Grouse, nesting Ospreys, American Bittern, and twenty species of warblers. It was great fun with a great group of people. ~Sam Burckhardt
I'd like to thank Sam again for leading eleven of us on the Michigan trip this past weekend. His ability to simultaneously find birds, guide us and keep track of what we saw was not unexpected but still amazing. We had excellent views of the Kirtland's warbler on Saturday, We spent time at Hartwick Pines, Tuttle Marsh, Tawas Point, andSam's property the rest of the weekend, finding 130 species over those days. We also thank Sam and Richard for the use of their house and land, for providing great meals, and for opportunities to renew old friendships and form new ones. It was a really memorable experience! ~Jill Niland
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The total of species for the three days recorded on amounts to 138 species. Some of the species that not all of us saw, together, were Sharp-shinned Hawk (at Wurtsmith Airbase), Common Merganser (on mill pond), Common Gallinule (Tuttle Marsh), Horned Lark and Grasshopper Sparrow (Wurtsmith Airbase).
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Pere Cheney and Chase Bridge Road, Crawford, US-MI
May 25, 2013 7:51 AM - 9:58 AM
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 3
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2
Swainson"s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 3
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
Kirtland"s Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) 5 4 singing males, 1 female in flight
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 3
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Lincoln"s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 13 in cage
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Hartwick Pines SP (general), Crawford, US-MI
May 25, 2013 11:33 AM - 1:44 PM
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 4
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 1
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 3
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 3
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 9
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) 5 3 males, 2 females
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Sanctuary, Wilber Township, Iosco County, Iosco, US-MI
May 25, 2013 4:31 PM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 9 4 adults and goslings
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 3rd year
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 17
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 4
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
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Sanctuary, Wilber Township, Iosco County, Iosco, US-MI
May 26, 2013 6:02 AM - 7:12 AM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 6
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2 pair
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 2
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May Rd between Sherman and Brooks, Iosco, US-MI
May 26, 2013 7:40 AM - 8:03 AM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 22
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
Swainson"s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 22
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 20
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 6
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 3
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
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Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, Iosco, US-MI
May 26, 2013 8:10 AM - 11:24 AM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 60
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) 1
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) 2
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 1
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 2
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 4
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 15
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) 5 three fly by early, later two on ground
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 4
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Osprey (American) (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) 4
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1 female type
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3 2nd yr, adults
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) 1
Sora (Porzana carolina) 1
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) 1
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 3
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) 1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) 7
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill"s Flycatcher) (Empidonax alnorum/traillii) 4
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 30
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 2
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 12
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 60
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) 1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 2
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) 1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 50
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 70
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 2 pair
Wilson"s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 7
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 10
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 30
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 2 pair
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 60
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 23
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 2
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Tawas City, Iosco, US-MI
May 26, 2013 11:51 AM - 12:01 PM
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 13
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 20
Herring Gull (American) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus) 2
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 1
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 4
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 1
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Tawas Point SP, Iosco, US-MI
May 26, 2013 12:09 PM - 4:21 PM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 8
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1 imm
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 10
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 8
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) 5
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) 4 in flock of peeps, white rump well visible in flight, viewed through scope
peep sp. (Calidris sp. (peep sp.)) 9
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 21
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes australian online casinos carolinus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 2
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) 1 heard
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill"s Flycatcher) (Empidonax alnorum/traillii) 2
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 2
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 2
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 22
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 5
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 1
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 4
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 4
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Swainson"s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 9
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 3
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) 2
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) 2 female type
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 5
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 4
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 3
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 5
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 3
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) 3
Wilson"s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 1 heard, then seen
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
Lincoln"s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 2
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 3
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 13
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 3
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Sanctuary, Wilber Township, Iosco County, Iosco, US-MI
May 27, 2013 6:10 AM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 8
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 1
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 1
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 2 pair
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) 1
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 4
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 3
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 5
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 1
Swainson"s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 2
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 5
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 8
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 3 Pair
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis) 1
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 4
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
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Woods and Wilber Rd, Iosco, US-MI
May 27, 2013 9:56 AM - 10:07 AM
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 1
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2
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Curtis and Kobs Rd, Kirtland"s Warbler Restauration Project, Iosco, US-MI
May 27, 2013 10:14 AM - 11:46 AM
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 7
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
Kirtland"s Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) 1 singing male
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis) 1
Brewer"s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 8
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2
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Wurtsmith AFB (restricted access), Iosco, US-MI
May 27, 2013 1:49 PM - 2:34 PM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 14
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1 male
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) 1
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 2
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 20
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) 1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 7
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1
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Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, Iosco, US-MI
May 27, 2013 3:30 PM - 4:21 PM
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 4
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) 1
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Osprey (American) (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) 4
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) 1
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) 6
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 1
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 4
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 8
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 30
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 4
Wilson"s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 2
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 40
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2