Michigan RBA--2 June 2005

[Jonathan Wuepper]

--RBA

*Michigan
*Statewide
*June 2nd, 2005
*MIST060205
-Transcript

hotline: Michigan
number: 269/471-4919
to report: 269-556-9510 or wuepperj at hotmail.com
compiled: 2 Jun 2005
compiler: Jon Wuepper

REVIEW SPECIES MENTIONED, signified by “*”
Send documentation to Adam Byrne, 11771 Rachel LN, DeWitt, MI., 48820.

EURASIAN COLLARD DOVE* [ACCIDENTAL] (Berrien County)
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW* [ACCIDENTAL] (Berrien County)
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER* [CASUAL] (Alger County)
LARK SPARROW* [CASUAL] (Allegan County)

Additional species:

Least Bittern (Schoolcraft County)
Snowy Egret (Iosco County)
Yellow Rail (Schoolcraft, Roscommon cos)
Whimbrel (Iosco, Monroe cos)
Western Sandpiper (Muskegon County)
Red-necked Phalarope (Muskegon County)
Wilson’s Phalarope (Muskegon County)
Glaucous Gull (Chippewa County)
Little Gull (Iosco County)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Chippewa County)
Black-backed Woodpecker (Chippewa, Schoolcraft cos)
Dickcissel (Iosco, Berrien cos)
LeConte’s Sparrow (Chippewa, Schoolcraft cos)
Western Meadowlark (Berrien County)
Red Crossbill (Chippewa County)

This is the Michigan Statewide Bird Report for Thursday, June 2nd 2005. It 
is sponsored by Wild Bird Outfitters, located on Wilson Avenue in 
Grandville.

In ALGER COUNTY, a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER* has been reported this week, 
first on May 27th, near the village of Christmas. It has been relocated 
since, most recently on May 31st, when Rick Brigham found it at Grand 
Marias. Rick reports finding the bird: “…nestled into a concavity in the 
eroded ground next to a drainage tile that runs down
the hillside to the beach. This is what I believe is called Bayside Park 
directly across the road from the Snug Harbor/Gazette building. For access 
there is a stairway leading down hill fairly close to the drainage tile. It 
eventually flew to some large shrubbery that stands alone in the beach grass 
near the building with the bathrooms. In each place I found it, head tucked 
in and snoozing, absorbing what there was of the morning sun's warmth. It 
seemed somewhat exhausted, so I kept my distance trying not to disturb it 
form it's slumber and I would encourage others to do the same.” (Thanks 
Rick!) Rick also found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in Grand Marias, in the 
conifer next to the picnic pavilion in the park.

In ALLEGAN COUNTY on May 28th, a LARK SPARROW* was seen in a plowed field at 
the northeast corner of 59th Street and 117th Avenue, in the Todd Farm Unit 
of Allegan State Game Area.

In BERRIEN COUNTY, the previously reported CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW* continues to 
be heard along True Road, just west of M-140, and at times along Jones Road, 
between True Road (north) and Long Lake Road (south). Most recent report was 
4am on June 2nd. The previously reported 2-3 EURASIAN COLLARD DOVES* 
continue to be seen (as of June 2nd), in Three Oaks, at and near the small 
village park at US-12 and Elm Street. On May 29th, 1-2 of the birds were 
seen around the nearby grain elevators/feed mill at the railroad tracks, and 
behind the nearby school. A WESTERN MEADOWLARK has been seen and heard this 
week, on Holden Road, just north of 2nd Street, outside Galien. Precisely at 
the junction of Holden and a dirt driveway leading to the Galien Sewage 
Ponds. DICKCISSELS were still present on May 29th, along Mill Road, between 
Elm Valley and Kruger Roads. However on May 29th, farmers were mowing the 
hayfields that were being used by the birds.

In CHIPPEWA COUNTY at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, GLAUCOUS GULL, 
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and RED CROSSBILLS have been seen during the last 
week. Up to 3 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS have been seen this week, at “Sight 
13” of the Shelldrake State Forest Campground off of Vermillion Road. A 
LECONTE’S SPARROW was heard on May 27th, on Forest Road 3344, 3.3 Miles in 
from M-123, north of Trout Lake.

This past weekend, in SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY, at the Seney National Wildlife 
Refuge, Kevin Thomas observed a YELLOW RAIL, apparently on breeding grounds, 
calling from “G pool”, just beyond the “J-G” spillway along the Fishing 
loop. Kevin reports these additional sightings from Seney: BLACK-BACKED 
WOODPECKERS, “…located the area where the birds are nesting. Did not find 
the nest hole.  Beyond the J-G spillway about 400 yards along the fishing 
loop there is a pull off on the left side of the road. From here there is an 
old dike running east.  It goes about 200 yards to a woodlot through a semi 
open area with many burnt dead trees.” A LEST BITTERN was heard calling from 
the fishing loop just as it hooks up again with the auto loop. “2 LECONTE’S 
SPARROWS, calling from the end of the auto loop in the last open sedgy area 
before you hit the main road.” (Thanks Kevin!).

In IOSCO COUNTY at Tawas Point State Park, May 27th, Scott Jennex reported 
11 WHIMBREL, and 1 adult LITTLE GULL. Kevin Thomas reported a DICKCISSEL and 
SNOWY EGRET at Tawas Point on May 28th.

In ROSCOMMON COUNTY, May 29th, Scott Jennex heard a YELLOW RAIL, off the 
boardwalk into the Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area off Nellsville Road 
near M-55 and 127.

In MUSKEGON COUNTY, at the Muskegon wastewater Facility on May 31st, Mike 
Moran found 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, at the north edge in the west lagoon, 
and at least 2 WILSON’S PHALAROPES in the filter basins, (between the 
lagoons and White Rd). On June 1st, Kevin Thomas relocated RED-NECKED 
PHALAROPE, WILSON'S PHALAOPE and a rare spring/early summer WESTERN 
SANDPIPER.

In MONROE COUNTY, May 28th, at the Point Mouilee State Game Area, Tim Smart 
reported an incredible 104 WHIMBRELS, located in Cell #3.

The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, June 9th, 
2005. To report your sightings, please leave a message at the sound of the 
tone or call Jon Wuepper at 269-556-9510. Thanks for calling and good 
birding.


MICHIGAN BIRDS & NATURAL HISTORY, Volume 12, Number 2 (whole number 54)
(A publication of the Michigan Audubon Society, Jim Granlund, editor)
**Volume 12, Number 2** Next issue---going to press shortly! This issue will 
include Michigan Bird Survey: FALL 2004, among other papers and short notes.

Papers, short-notes, photographs submitted by the Michigan birding community 
are encouraged! Contact Jim Granlund, editor, granlund at chartermi.net

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25/1 year (5 issues); $5 single issue. (Subscription covers 
current calendar year.)
Contact <http://www.michiganaudubon.org/mbnh/mbnh_home.html>

Michigan Audubon Society, 6011 West St. Joseph Hwy, Suite 403. P.O. Box 
80527. Lansing, MI. 48908-0527
(Tel: 517-886-9144)

Also of interest

Michigan Bird Records Committee website: 
http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/rouge_river/MBRChome.html

“North American Birds”, a quarterly journal, published by the American 
Birding Association: http://americanbirding.org/publications/nabgen.htm