Detroit RBA
May 12, 2003
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 17:41:56 -0400
Reply-To: "Karl.Overman@usdoj.gov" <Karl.Overman@USDOJ.GOV>
Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Central)"
<BIRDCNTR@listserv.arizona.edu>
From: "Karl.Overman@usdoj.gov" <Karl.Overman@USDOJ.GOV>
Subject: Detroit RBA 5/12/2003
Comments: To: "'mich-listers@envirolink.org' (Receipt Notification Requested
IPM Return Requested)" <mich-listers@envirolink.org>
To: BIRDCNTR@listserv.arizona.edu
Red-throated Loon
Common Eider (Pelee)
Harlequin Duck
Swallow-tailed Kite
Spruce Grouse
Black-necked Stilt
Marbled Godwit
Hudsonian Godwit
Willet
Stilt Sandpiper
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-backed Woodpecker
Cerulean Warbler
Harris's Sparrow
Yellow-headed Blackbird
White-winged Crossbill
Monday, May 12, 2003 at 5:30 p.m.
This is the rare bird alert sponsored by the Detroit Audubon Society. The two
Black-necked Stilts, initially found by Dan Lumm at Pointe Mouillee at the mouth
of the Huron River on May 2nd, were refound by Skye Haas in the Lead Unit at
Point Mouillee on May 10th. The birds are best viewed by entering from the
Robert Road entrance and walking out the Banana and checking around a small
island at the south end of the Lead Unit. Two is a magic number and it is not
inconceivable that they would attempt to breed. They have been known to breed
in west central Illinois at Chataugua Refuge. Continuing north on the Banana
will bring you to open water on your right which opens up through a narrow
channel into Lake Erie. This is cells 3 & 4 of the Banana and the male
Harlequin Duck present since at least May 1st, was still there as of today.
That spot is well known for unusual summering ducks such as both scaup,
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser, so perhaps with l!
uck the Harlequin will linger and top that list.
The Stilts were not the only good shorebirds to turn up around Pointe Mouillee
this past week. Walt Pawloski and others had Marbled Godwit and Willets at the
mouth of the Huron River on May 9th. On the same date Karl Overman found an
early Hudsonian Godwit nearby on a flooded field at Labo and U.S. Turnpike. The
same flooded field held a Stilt Sandpiper on May 11th per Jim Fowler, Dave
Washington and Tim Smart. Neither the Hudsonian Godwit nor the Stilt Sandpiper
are annual in spring in southeast Michigan.
A Black-chinned Hummingbird was seen at a feeder at the home of Nancy Arnfield
in Ray Township of Macomb County on May 9th. It was seen by a fortunate few
including Tom Heatley and Allen Chartier. This is the first time the species has
been seen in Michigan and it is a bird rarely reported in northeastern states
or provinces. Nancy Arnfield said the bird had been present for the two
previous days. Unfortunately it was a no show on Saturday, May 10th.
Harris's Sparrows made an unprecedented showing in southern Michigan this past
week. Jon Wuepper reports that as of last weekend they were still being seen at
a variety of locations in Berrien County. In southeast Michigan, one was at
the home of Brian McGee in Clinton Township, Macomb County from May 7-9th and
one at Ann Smith's home near Flat Rock in Wayne County on May 8th. Just how
unusual these birds are as spring migrants in southeast Michigan is that I am
aware of only two other records: May 16, 1957, Arboretum, Ann Arbor (Laurie
Binford, Paul Slud etc.); May 9, 1972 Greenfield Village, Dearborn (Jim Fowler).
From the west side of the state, the Swallow-tailed Kite was still being seen at
the Riverside Cemetery near Three Oaks in Berrien County as of May 9th. Rick
Brigham still have 4 Harlequins off Oval Beach in Saugatuck on May 10th.
In the Saginaw Bay area, Skye Haas has nine Willets at the Ericson Road Beach at
Nayanquing Point on May 9th. Gary Nelkie reported an excellent, though chilly
day of birding at Tawas Point on May 11th with highlights including Cerulean
Warbler and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
In the U.P., Skye Haas reports 50 Red-throated Loons for the day off Whitefish
Point on May 8th. He had a Spruce Grouse and a Black-backed Woodpecker on Farm
truck Road at Taquamanon State Park on that date. In the western U.P., Laurie
Binford had 17 White-winged Crossbills in Baraga County on May 11st. Joe
Youngman has found several active nests of that species in Baraga County this
spring. Spruce Grouse were also seen on the Baraga Plains on May 11th.
A female Common Eider was off the tip at Pelee on May 11th.
On Saturday, May 17th there will be a field trip to Rondeau Provincial Park
lead by Fred Charbonneau and Georgia Reid. Meet at the Nature Center parking
lot at 8 am.
To report rare birds call Karl Overman at 248.473.0484. Thank you for calling.