Saturday, July 15, 2017

Ferguson Farm and Walleye Ponds Trip Report


Fifteen Thirteen of us enjoyed a morning of birding north of the Muskegon River today.

Group south of the Ferguson Farm bridge by Charlie DeWitt

We counted 37 species at the old Ferguson Farm (State Game Area property south of River Road north of Lane's Landing) including Wood Duck, six Blue-winged Teal, lotsa Green Herons, a startled American Woodcock, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Prothotary Warbler, American Redstart, Indigo Bunting and Baltimore Oriole.

Viewing the Prothonotary Warbler from the bridge.

Seven of the 25 species at Holton Duck Lake Road from the bridge south to the abandoned walleye ponds at the Muskegon River were new for the day including Sandhill Crane, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing and this Turkey Vulture sunning its wings:


Carol Cooper counted 25 species of wildflowers including these three: Blue Vervain, Trout Lily and Teasel: 




Thanks to Ken Sherburn for casing the road construction beforehand and leading this morning's trip!