Ohio & Michigan 15/5/17

Most of the day yesterday was spent at Magee Marsh once we had got up from our marathon the day before. Activity started off slow but thankfully it slowly improved as the day went on, and with a bit of luck at being in the right place at the right time, our Warbler tally broke the 20 species mark for the day, with the two undoubted highlights being a Canada Warbler and a superb male Golden-winged Warbler. We also twitched a Mourning Warbler which had associated with a Connecticut Warbler but alas the latter had moved on. Despite the clear conditions there were very few Blue Jays moving overhead.

In the late afternoon evening we went back to Pearson Metropark to look for Rails and Crakes, and sort of succeeded with a Sora, but other species appeared non-existent.

Highlights for the day:

American Redstart - 7

Black-and-White Warbler - 5

Magnolia Warbler - 2

Prothonotary Warbler - 2

Tenessese Warbler - 1

Wilson's Warbler - 6

Blackburnian Warbler - 4

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - 1

Bay-breasted Warbler - 2

Least Flycatcher - 1

Chesnut-sided Warbler - 3

Indigo Bunting - 2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3

Eastern Kingbird - 1

Swamp Sparrow - 1

Blue-headed Vireo - 2

EASTERN WOOD PEWEE - 2

CANADA WARBLER - 1

Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1

Black-throated Green Warbler - 5

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 2

MOURNING WARBLER - 1

American Woodcock - 1

Orange-crowned Warbler - 1

Pearson Metropark:

Sora - 1

Field Sparrow - 1

Marsh Wren - 3

Solitary Sandpiper - 1

Spotted Sandpiper - 1

 our first Wilson Warbler of the trip, with a total of 7 seen today

 Canada Warbler - another big target for us

 plenty of American Redstarts about today

 Golden-winged Warbler - despite hoping I really thought my chances of seeing one this trip wasn't going to materialise. So glad it did, an absolute stonker.

 American Woodcock

 Solitary Sandpiper at Pearson Metropark

a spotty Spotted Sandpiper at Pearson Metropark

Ohio & Michigan 14/5/17

A mammoth day where we crossed the border into Michigan to hopefully see the endangered Kirtland's Warbler. We left our accommodation at 2.30am and arrived into Huron Forest within the first hour of daylight, where we started on trying to find Ruffed Grouse. Despite the Kirtland's being our main target, we knew they would be present so thought it'll be best to search for Grouse that go elusive after the first few hours of daylight.

At the dense pine forest, our first stop produced a pair of delightful Golden-crowned Kinglets, and a little further on along one of the many forest tracks, we parked up and headed into the forest hoping we would flush a bird. As we slowly crept through, we all heard a very unusual noise that sounded like an engine rattling as if trying to start up, but then failing, and this sound was in fact a drumming Ruffed Grouse. We very slowly approached with the drumming now being very penetrating, but frustratingly we couldn't find the bird despite being so close. Ian and myself were slightly ahead of Adam as we circum-navigated the area and we flushed a Ruffed Grouse from the undergrowth for it never to be seen again. Despite trying more, this was our only sighting despite hearing the drumming again.

We moved onto the Jack Pines situated further south in the forest, and here we easily found a number of singing Kirtland's Warblers, and they were very impressive. A search for Upland Sandpipers drew a blank and so did a search for Northern Saw-Whet Owls, that on ebird was in a back garden, with the owner finding and reporting the birds. So we headed an hour out of our way to the garden, which turned out to be a hillbilly's zone, and knocking on the correct house we were basically told to go away, with no news on any Owls. All very strange and we couldn't work out what had happened, and being in a very unfriendly neighbourhood we took off towards Hartwick Pines State Park.

Evening Grosbeaks were easily found around the feeders, and in the forests were plenty of Pine Warblers.

We then took the bold decision to drive over to Tawas Point situated on the west side of Lake ?? The decision to come here was the chance of witnessing some good migration, and to hopefully bump into an out of place Ruffed Grouse, as Adam still needed it. We were treated to some amazing migration with Warblers being in every bush and showing down to a few feet. Adam went off to find the Grouse that was meant to be around the campsite, but about 45 minutes before dark, Ian noticed some movement in the undergrowth in dense bushes and thought it was a Rat, I took a look and I was amazed to find that it was in fact the Ruffed Grouse. I quickly ran back to the car to find Adam who was thankfully on his way back from the campsite and had just seen a Skunk, but I beeped the car horn and waved frantically for him to get in as I turned the car like a rally driver, and we sped back to Ian who was still watching the Grouse, allowing Adam a last minute tick. A huge relief and this ended a very productive day up north.

It was another four hours to get back and we arrived around 1.30am, all of us absolutely battered.
Highlights seen:

RUFFED GROUSE - 2
KIRTLAND'S WARBLER - 2
Brewer's Blackbird - 2
Vesper Sparrow - 2
EVENING GROSBEAK - 2
PINE WARBLER - 2

Tawas Point

Cape May Warbler - 2
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 10
Orange-crowned Warbler - 3
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 10
Ovenbird - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
Bay-breasted Warbler - 3
Black-throated Green Warbler - 10
Magnolia Warbler - 10
Ruffed Grouse - 1 male

Kirtland's Warbler at Huron National Forest - most groups tend to get driven around by a guide but they are easily seen if research is done.

Evening Grosbeak at Hartwick Pines State Park

 Pine Warbler at Hartwick Pines

 Red-eyed Vireo at Tawas Point

 Cape May Warbler at Tawas Point

 Scarlet Tanager at Tawas Point

 Orange-crowned Warbler at Tawas Point

Blackburnian Warbler at Tawas Point

Ohio & Michigan 13/5/17

Magee Marsh, Pearson Metropark & Maumee State Park
Arriving into Magee Marsh the car park trees were seemingly alive with birds, but unfortunately entering the boardwalk it all appeared rather quiet, and it proved to be a quieter day then yesterday in terms of migrants. Passerine migrants on the increase were Least Flycatchers and Common Yellowthroats. Given the calm and clear conditions Blue Jays were once again on the move, and a couple of hundred were noted before entering the boardwalk.

We soon left for Pearson Metropark but this appeared quiet, and despite perseverance I couldn't persuade any Rails or Crakes to emerge from the reeds. So it was then back to Maumee State Park which produced a few more Warblers, more Screech Owls but more impressively was a Racoon and three species of Snakes.

Leaving early in the morning so keeping this brief, but highlighted species seen today are below. Photos from yesterday have now been added so keep see the previous post.

Magee Marsh
Blue Jay - 300+
Indigo Bunting - 1
EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL - 2
American Woodcock - 1
Least Flycatcher - 5
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Blackburnian Warbler - 2
Myrtle Warbler - 2
Nashville Warbler - 5
Brown-headed Cowbird - 2
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 3
Blue-headed Vireo - 2

Pearson Metropark
Marsh Wren - 4
Blue-winged Warbler - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
TUFTED TITMOUSE - 3

Maumee State Park
Eastern Screech Owl - 3
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 2
Veery - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 5
Hawk sp. - 20+ very high flying west together

Fox Snake - 1
Common Water Snake - 5
Eastern Garter Snake - 1

Racoon - 1

Pearson Metropark

Ohio & Michigan 12/5/17

Dry, sunny and light NE wind
We arrived at Magee slightly after first light as being there at first thing has no advantage whatsoever. Just outside the reserve were a couple of Caspian Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls, and on the approach to the car parks was a large flock of Short-billed Dowitchers. Our first Wood Warbler of the day was just outside the main trees which gave us a sense of anticipation, but within the first 50 metres of the boardwalk, it felt as if lots had departed and little had arrived. The most interesting migration of the day were the Blue Jays flying high along the shoreline. Though a circuit of the boardwalk yielded 14 species of American Wood Warblers, we felt little need to stay and therefore headed on towards Ottawa Reserve. Here was much the same other than lots of Snakes and a couple of Rusty Blackbirds.

We managed to get info on some Eastern Screech Owls at Maumee Reserve again slightly further up the road, so we headed there and soon found a superb 'red' adult guarding a nest, but just like all the Warblers, there was always a bit of foliage in the way.

One of the main targets for me on this trip was Henslow's Sparrow, and with time spare it seemed a good plan to head forty minutes SW to Oak Openings. The journey was pleasant and we found the what we thought was the correct spot, helped by signs stating keep out due to endangered nesting birds. After a bit of playback, a Henslow's was heard calling and good scope views were obtained of this range restricted species. Close cousins nearby consisted of Grasshopper, Lark, Field and Chipping Sparrows. With time now pushing on towards late afternoon we headed back to Magee in case of any megas having been found, but alas not, though some crippling views of many Warblers was worth the effort, as was the comedy, all set off by some Amercian stating a Warbling Vireo reminded him of watching Bottle-nose Dolphins, how he came to that conclusion I have no idea.

Another good day despite the lower numbers of migrants, but thanks to Ebird there is always a site nearby to check out.

Highlights for the day are as follows:

Magee Marsh

Short-billed Dowitcher - 40

Common Yellowthroat - 3

Blue Jay - 120 +

Black-and-White Warbler - 5

Myrtle Warbler - 15

Black-throated Green Warbler - 10

Blackburnian Warbler - 4

Veery - 2

Ovenbird - 1

Prothonotary Warbler - 3

Nashville Warbler - 20

Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1

Northern Parula - 1 male

Magnolia Warbler - 2

WOOD THRUSH - 1

Black-throated Blue Warbler - 5

Lincoln's Sparrow - 1

Green Heron - 1

Sandhill Crane - 2

Least Sandpiper - 2

Ottawa Wildlife Reserve

INDIGO BUNTING - 3

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Northern Parula - 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2

RUSTY BLACKBIRD - 2

Brown Creeper - 1

Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1

Blackburnian Warbler - 1

Maumee National Centre

EASTERN SCREECH OWL - 1 red morph

Bay-breasted Warbler - 1

Least Flycatcher - 1

Oak Openings

Lark Sparrow - 6

FIELD SPARROW - 2

SUMMER TANAGER - 1

Blue-winged Warbler - 2

HENSLOW'S SPARROW - 1

Grasshopper Sparrow - 2

Eastern Towhee - 2

 Yellow Warbler

 Palm Warbler

 Baltimore Oriole

 Black-throated Green Warbler

 Magnolia Warbler

 Eastern Screech Owl

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Henslow's Sparrow - not my best photo

Ohio & Michigan 11/5/17

Magee Marsh
Looking at recent sightings up until last night it appeared that the spring so far around these parts wasn't very impressive with low numbers of what were now late arriving Warblers. This though meant that we were hopeful in connecting with a reasonable fall during our time here.

The weather forecast overnight was very promising with NE winds and light rain. This of course yielded the best day of the spring so far at Magee Marsh and throughout the day we enjoyed views of some mouth-watering American Wood Warblers. The day started in fine style, whilst driving towards Magee from our overnight motel (40 mins away) I was half asleep driving and didn't notice until late a rail crossing which was higher than I had anticipated and we lifted into the air slightly and plummeted down the other side, with the only injury being Ian's head.

Most of the day was spent on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh, that by late morning was rammed with people, but with good birds in most places, it was good fun. Probably the highlight was a Prothonotary Warbler that came within a metre of me, just staggering how tame the birds are here despite being surrounded by noisy Americans in their multi-coloured (colored) dream coats. By mid afternoon we were all weary and decided to twitch a female Wilson's Phalarope nearby. Back at the car park I unlocked the car from a distance, and in my very tired state I clambered into a 4x4 that looked very similar to ours, but once in the white leather and strange items in the door got me thinking, and it wasn't until Adam joined me we then realised I had climbed into the wrong vehicle. Very comical, and once in our car we slowly headed out of Magee, via a walk around the info centre and birded Stange Prairie, where we connected with the Phalarope. Absolutely spent, we ended the day back at Dennys and in the hotel room at a sensible time, looking forward to another day.

A superb day and certainly one of my bucket list. Highlights below:

Magee Marsh
Least Sandpiper - 1
Baltimore Oriole - 10
ORCHARD ORIOLE - 1
WARBLING VIREO - 8
Black-and-White Warbler - 7
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - 5
Yellow Warbler - 40
Blackburnian Warbler - 10
Magnolia Warbler - 10
PALM WARBLER - 15
BLUE-HEADED VIREO - 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 5
BLACK-THROATED BLUE-WARBLER - 15
GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER - 1
Grey Catbird - 10
Veery - 2
NASHVILLE WARBLER - 25
Bay-breasted Warbler - 5
Black-throated Green-Warbler - 15
OVENBIRD - 2
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - 4
Northern Waterthrush - 2
TENESSESE WARBLER - 1
CAPE MAY WARBLER - 2
AMERICAN WOODCOCK - 1
Hermit Thrush - 1
Red-headed Woodpecker - 2
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER - 1
NORTHEN PARULA - 1
SWAMP SPARROW - 1
SWAINSON'S THRUSH - 1

Stange Prairie
Wilson's Phalarope - 1
Greater Yellowlegs - 2
Spotted Sandpiper - 1
TRUMPETER SWAN - 2

 Black-throated Blue Warbler

 Prothonotary Warbler - too close

 Nashville Warbler

 Black-throated Green Warbler - this image shows what American Wood Warblers do best......hiding!!

 Blackburnian Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

American Woodcock

Ohio & Michigan 10/5/17

First days of trips can always have their dramas, and today was no exception. It all started with me over sleeping by an hour and getting to Ian's twenty minutes late, where Adam was also waiting. Still this had no effect on our arrival time at LHR, and our American Airlines flight arrived into Chicago early, which was just as well as the next drama was ready to unfold. We passed immigration quickly and transferred over to the Budget car rental, where Adam disclosed over the desk he didn't have a credit card, which went down like a lead balloon. I offered mine which in the past hasn't been an issue, but Americans as they are wouldn't allow it, and we were refused a car unless I was to spend the next half hour phoning a guy to replace the names etc., which I duly did. The Budget staff were very unhelpful, however the guy I was talking to was the opposite and with his help, we transferred my name to the main driver for no added cost, and somehow we were now on our way heading south and then east towards Ohio. The BMW X5 was a dream for me being automatic and powerful, but due to numerous road closures it wasn't until five hours later we arrived at Lake La Su An roughly 50 miles west of Toledo. Even birds were thin on the ground with just stacks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles being the most conspicuous. We searched briefly for Henslow's Sparrows but couldn't find a suitable area, and so resorted to parking at the main lake and completing a very successful circular walk. We met a couple that told us about a juv. Barred Owl just off the path, and we easily found the bird, although the adult took a bit more effort but again was found with ease. We then bumped into a superb Warbler flock that contained such species as Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers, the latter being a species I've long been wanting to see, and it didn't disappoint. In fact, the walk was very good, apart from yet another drama. This time it was the Ticks, and these weren't ordinary Ticks, these were huge and legged it up your legs like no tomorrow. This led to three grown men (two slightly older) losing complete control with legs and arms waving around, taking clothes off, and generally having a sense of fear for the entire duration. Still it was very comical. After a 25 hour day, we rocked up into a Super 8 near Toledo ready for our time at Magee Marsh and surrounds coming up.

Highlights for the day below with lifers in capitals.

Lake La Su An


Yellow Warbler - 10
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4
Chipping Sparrow - 10
American Goldfinch - 5
EASTERN BLUEBIRD - 4
PURPLE MARTIN - 8
BALTIMORE ORIOLE - 3
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
NORTHERN BARRED OWL - 2
GREY CATBIRD - 2
Myrtle Warbler - 30
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - 1
MAGNOLIA WARBLER - 1
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER - 1
Black-and-White Warbler - 3
Northern Flicker - 4
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - 1
Green Heron - 1
Belted Kingfisher - 1
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 3
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Hooded Merganser - 4
CHIMNEY SWIFT - 4
EASTERN PHEOBE - 1

 Eade tours is renound for it's lack of Owls, so good to get one on the first day, and not where I had planned to see one.

 this juv. Barred Owl was slightly easier to see

Red-headed Woodpecker

Recent Wildlife

 one of six Emperor Moths in Mum and Dad's garden

Muntjac Deer near Crawley - finally now seen one in Sussex