FISH CROW - Berrien County, May 16-17

[Jonathan Wuepper]

Hello,
 
About 7:00 am on May 16, Matt Hysell, Tim Baerwald and another birder, who's name I forgot (my apologies) found a FISH CROW along Forest Lawn Road, near Three Oaks in southern Berrien County. This is the same location known for YELLOW-THROATED and  CERULEAN WARBLERS. The bird was recorded vocalizing several times, which is the easiest way to tell it apart from AMERICAN CROWS. 
 
On Sunday, May 17th, the bird was seen and heard again as well as photographed (primary feathers by Tim Baerwald). It was seen again along Forest Lawn Rd at about 7:00am by several birders and later seen along Martin Road, west of Basswood Road and northeast of the Michigan-Indiana state line (afternoon) (and about a mile south of Forest Lawn Road).
 
The Forest Lawn Landfill has been a hangout of the bird which is located in section #17 and #20 in Three Oaks Twp.  (From Forest Lawan Rd on north, Basswood Rd on east, Martin Road on south). We are currently working on birder accessability at the landfill (which would be only outside the fence, if granted). This being a weekend, contact with landfill staff has not been possible.
 
 In the past, the landfill managment has been very kind in allowing birders to scan the landfill for gulls from outside the fence, as long as they check in at the office first and we use scopes and no cameras. The deluge of birders which accompany a first state record is something to which they are not accustumed. Also, I have been told that many people who live in this vicinity have apparently endured a rash of break-ins recently and our very sensitive to strangers in the area. Keep this in mind and please use good judgment. Good luck and good birding.
 
Jon Wuepper
 


      
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