Maple River SGA / Eaton ponds 19 May 08

[Dmcwhir513 at aol.com]

Folks -

Made a quick run up to Maple River before work today.  Wanted tocheck for 
warblers in the woods of the western portion of the SGA andsee if I could 
relocate the Orchard Oriole and Clay-colored Sparrow thePavliks found on the 15th.  
Also, I discovered I don't have LeastBittern for Gratiot County / Maple River, 
a bit of a mystery why not,so wanted to listen for one a while along Unit C.

Virtually no migrant warblers or other migrants.  Very quietmorning.  Did 
hear, maybe, one Bay-breasted.  However, alongMaple near Smith in Gratiot County 
I had two calling Yellow-billedCuckoo (saw 1) and a tentatively calling 
Acadadian Flycatcher. And, near State and Taft, I found a repeatedly calling 1st 
year OrchardOriole.

The quest for Least Bittern along the east dike of Unit C was futile,but the 
area is rife with Marsh Wren, at least 9-10 birds in arelatively small area.  
Watched one bird pick cattail fluffseveral times, probably for a nest.  Also 
had a Caspian Tern.

When I left, I headed east along Taft and about half way betweenBaldwin and 
Crapo, on the north side of the road, I had theClay-colored Sparrow calling.  
It was in the scrubby field NW ofthe parking lot for the east dike of D Unit 
and it was at least 100yards from the road.

On the way home tonight: 1 Ruddy Duck on Lake Delta, 1 coot at theState 
Secondary pond (I'm not at all sure they nest there.), and LeastSand and Semipalm 
Plov at the pond along Nixon south of Billwood.

When I was driving along the perimeter on the State Secondary pond,east end, 
I heard the grunting of a rail.  I would normally havethought Virginia, but 
the volume was such that I have to considerKing.  I'm going back tonight and 
tomorrow to check again and willpost results.

Take care.    - Doug




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