Kentucky Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat at Petersburg State Game Area

[pavlik at comcast.net]

A footnote to the various set of directions...  The trail that goes off northeast of the western most field is getting difficult to find.  Since Roger's original post approx 2 weeks ago, all the rain and sun has the weeds virtually covering the small path in spite of the folks looking for the K. Warbler (which is a compliment to the people looking).  It's worth noting that the path is in the exact northeast corner of that field where it meets the woods and is not immediately recognizable unless you are standing very near it.

You may want to take a quick look at Google Maps in Satellite mode to get a perspective of the parking spot and the three fields Roger references.

Take care,
Tom Pavlik

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Bob Arthurs" <bob.arthurs at sbcglobal.net> 

Following the postings by Roger Kuhlman and Allen Chartier about the Kentucky Warbler I went to Petersburg SGA today to try to find it.  I parked in the first parking lot on the north as per Allen's suggestion and started along the mowed path. I ended up one field too far east and had to back track.  When I got to the area to the northeast of that field the Kentucky was singing.  I encountered a man from Sterling Heights who had been observing the bird for the better part of an hour.  He mentioned he had seen 2 Chats by the parking area on the way in. 

I had good audibles and visuals on the Kentucky Warbler and then headed back to the parking area with the man from Sterling Heights and we heard a Chat just to the northwest of the parking area.  I was able to see the Chat but I am happy with the audible.

Bob Arthurs

Here's the Allen's and Roger's posts:

Thanks to Roger Kuhlman for relocating this bird in Monroe County. I hit the 
road right away and got on-site around noon today (June 2) to find the bird 
still singing in the same general area. I did not hear any Ovenbirds but I'm 
sure they're in the area. I would suggest that anyone going for this bird 
brings water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and sturdy boots (the stubbly 
field is hard to walk on in tennis shoes). Following Roger's previously 
posted directions (copied below) I parked in the easternmost parking area on 
Lulu Road, which was on the south side, and could not find a way into the 
fields as there is a wide ditch along the north side of the road. Just about 
50 yards farther west is the first parking area on the NORTH side, where 
there is a wide mowed area going east, allowing access to the fields and 
woods.

Original directions posted by Roger on May 24:

Go to the easternmost pullout on Lulu Road from Summerfeld Road and park. 
There are three long parallel fields east from there that are north of Lulu 
Road. You want to take the westernmost of these fields as far north as you 
can go and then look for an opening north through the forest edge. If you 
keep walking in a northeastward direction you will come to a relatively open 
area that was brushogged more than a year ago but is starting to get quite 
bushy. Go the northern edge of this area and the forest and continue 
northward. If the bird is still in the area, at this point you should hear 
it singing which should help direct your searching. The location where I had 
the bird was in an extensive low area that probably had standing water in it 
not too long ago. In couple of places here there are good thickets and the 
bird spent a lot of time singing and hiding in them. If you go looking for 
the Kentucky, do not become distracted by the several singing Ovenbirds in 
the forest. From a distance they can sound superficially like the Kentucky.
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From: "Bob Arthurs" <bob.arthurs at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Kentucky Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat at Petersburg State Game
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