Lake County Prothonotary Warbler re-appears 5/14

[stout]

Hi Birders,

After not being seen or heard since early Sunday AM 5/10, the male 
Prothonotary Warbler re-appeared this afternoon, singing - somewhat 
intermittently - over the flooded flood-plain on the south side of 
40th St. between the bridge over the Baldwin River and Betka Dr. (see 
copied directions below from earlier posting).  I suspect he was 
wandering up and down the river this week and/or not singing due to 
cool weather and lack of other Prothonotary Warblers to get him riled 
up.  The floodwaters have made the area look more to his liking, but 
in a day or two they will recede.  Will post again if we find him 
again tomorrow, etc.

Be advised - this weekend is the annual "Blessing of the Bikes" in 
Baldwin.  So if you venture this way for this bird this weekend, be 
aware there will be thousands of motorcyclists in the Baldwin 
area.  (But few will venture on to our section of 40th St.)

>He is now singing near the road - 40th Street - mostly on the south 
>side over the bend in the Baldwin River.  This is between the bridge 
>over the river and the intersection with Betka Dr. (our 
>road).  There is a small pull out on the south side of the road just 
>SE from Betka Dr.  If you come you may have to compete with 
>fisherman for the parking spot.  If so, come and park at our place 
>(4936 S. Betka - 1st driveway north of 40th St.).
>
>To get to this bird's location, from US 131 - exit at Reed 
>City/Ludington and go West on US 10.  One mile west of the main turn 
>for the village of Idlewild, turn North on Forman Road.  Drive 1 
>mile north and turn West on 40th St (a dirt road).  Continue west 
>for about 1.5 miles where you will cross the bridge over the 
>Baldwin.  The Prothontary has been singing in the area between this 
>bridge and Betka Dr (1/10 mile further west on the right).  The 
>pullout is on the south side of the road just before Betka.  The 
>property on both sides is private, but the bird is singing near the road.
>
> From Ludington, at the northern intersection of US 10 and M-37, go 
> straight (east) onto 24th street (there is a DNR office on the NE 
> side of this intersection).  Drive 1.5 miles east and turn 
> southh/right onto Merrillville Rd.  Follow Merrillville south for 
> 1.5 miles until it Ts into an east west road (36th St. but the sign 
> is missing).  Turn left/east and then follow the road south as it 
> turns into Betka Drive.  In 1/2 mile Betka Dr. intersects with 40th 
> St.   Turn left on 40th and on the immediate right you will see the 
> small pullout next to the river.  The bird has been singing in this 
> area.  Again, the property on both sides is private but the bird 
> has been visible from the roadside this morning.

Have fun out there!
Bonnie Stout