Tuesday 30 June 2015

When in Michigan... June 2015

Of course, the first bird you want to see while in Michigan in the Summer is the Kirtland's Warbler.  However, though I did stop in Grayling to go on the Kirtland's Warbler Tour, as I had done in previous years, I actually wanted to check out Hastings, where Michigan Audubon holds the annual Cerulian Warbler Weekend.  There wasn't enough time last year to go, but I did have one day,(the day prior to the actual festival), to check out the area.  Turns out it is a fantastic place to bird in the spring.  The main events take place at the Otis Bird Sanctuary.  I birded late in the afternoon, and early the next morning, counting 34 species, including Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Sedge Wren, Cerulian Warbler,(of course), and Henslow's Sparrow, of which I got great photos.

Kirtland's Warbler






Henslow's Sparrow



Eastern Bluebird


The Star of the Cerulian Warbler Weekend