Rufous Hummingbirds & other rarities - Berrien

[Jonathan Wuepper]

Hello,

On November 9th, Allen Chartier, director of Michigan Hummernet, came over to Southwest Michigan and banded TWO, female, hatch year RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS!

The first was the VAN BUREN COUNTY bird, located at the Starritt home, 36293, County Road 215 in Arlington Twp (Bangor address). This is just a mile or two east of Bangor. This bird has been present since October 15th, although we just learned of it late this week. If accepted by the Michigan Bird Records Committee, it would represent the second county record of the species. (The first  occurring in 2001, east of the town of Paw Paw).

The second, which is in BERRIEN COUNTY, is only a mile away from Sarett Nature Center, at the home of Mr. (first name?) and Mrs (Joyce) Ballard, 3149 Euclid Avenue in Benton Twp (Benton Harbor Address). Birders are welcome, but are asked to please park on the grass, not on the drive. This bird is more "rufous" in color than the Van Buren bird. It has been present since November 5th, and we learned of it late Thursday afternoon (November 8th). If accepted by the Michigan Bird Records Committee, it would represent the 5th county record of the species, the first since 2004. (Additionally, in 1988, there was a Rufous/Allen's type).

As we were at the home yesterday, a CROSSBILL, sp, flew over. The tamarack swamp and/or scotch pine plantation at Sarett NC would be a good place to look. Both RED CROSSBILL & WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL have been reported from the Tower Hill neighborhood recently, south of Bridgman (Sawyer). The latter being the more common.

This week, a PURPLE SANDPIPER was found at the breakwall, mouth of Galien River at New Buffalo. A 1st-winter THAYER'S GULL was reported there as well.

Jon Wuepper
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