Michigan - A Special Bird

We chose to visit Michigan in early June to see one of the rarest birds in North America, the Kirtland's Warbler. The Kirtland's Warbler breeds only in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin, and relies on a very specific habitat of young Jack Pines, 5' - 20' tall.  Loss of this habitat and increasing parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds landed the Kirtland's Warbler on the Endangered Species List in 1973, with its numbers having fallen to around 400 birds. 

Preservation of the Jack Pine habitat, including regular controlled burns to maintain trees in the preferred height range, along with aggressive trapping of Brown-headed Cowbirds has led to a spectacular recovery of the species, with the current population estimated to be around 4000 birds. 

Early June is the best time to see these birds, as the males are singing to attract females and establish breeding territories. We signed up for a Michigan Audubon sponsored trip, which run daily from late May to the end of June. We met our group and leader at 7:00 at Hartwick Pines State Park, and after a short introduction caravanned in our own vehicles to a site about 30 minutes away.  

The best locations for Kirtland's Warbler changes based on the age of the Jack Pines, but our trip leader Baxter knew exactly where to take us, and we were hearing and seeing warblers within a minute of getting our of our vehicles. 

Kirtland's Warbler

It's getting pretty tough for Teri and I to find life birds (birds that we've never seen before) in North America, but this one was easy!  The group walked up a gravel road for about a mile, and then returned to the cars. Along that stretch we saw and heard around a dozen Kirtland's Warbler males singing. 

We headed back to Hartwick Pines State Park after the walk, and birded around the visitor center and on the trails for an hour or so. 

Inside the visitor center.

We saw another nice Rose-breasted Grosbeak male, and I couldn't resist taking more pictures!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak male

There was an Eastern Phoebe (a species of flycatcher) nesting under the eaves of the visitor center, and one was usually perched nearby.

Eastern Phoebe

We had lunch and returned to the Cozy Cabin for a bit of an afternoon break, and then headed west to Sportsman's Park in the town of East Jordan. The park was next to a nice lake and we saw plenty of water birds, many leading youngsters. 

Canada Goose with goslings

Hooded Merganser female with chicks

We'd seen quite a few swans in northern Michigan, and enjoyed close-up looks at this Trumpeter Swan. They are huge!

Trumpeter Swan

Visible on the far side of the lake was a large nesting platform with an eagle's nest.  We watched both adults feeding a nestling, and saw one of the birds carry a large fish to the nest. 

Bald Eagle bringing a fish to the nest

Red-winged Blackbirds seem to be common around most bodies of water, and this location was no exception. 

Red-winged Blackbird male

Another pleasant day in Michigan.

Next time: Another Great Lake and midges.