Muskegon County Nature Club

Wastewater to Northside Field Trip Report

2012-01-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

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Ken Sherburn's field trip had ten people finding 18 species at the Wastewater and seven continuing to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve for 17 species.
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Wastewater highlights included a Northern Pintail, at least 10 Bald Eagles (perhaps 16), 2 Snowy Owls (one mostly white, one with lots of black feathers), 3 light morph Rough-legged Hawks, and Charlie DeWitt leading an Indiana birder to her "Lifer" Snowy Owl.
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All species at the Preserve were the usual suspects, 11 new species for the morning. It was nice to see that the arson-ruined marsh overlook tower has been removed from the barely damaged stairway, presumably ready for reconstruction in the spring.
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After accumulating 29 total species on this beautiful but COLD morning, we warmed up and filled up with a delicious lunch at the Main Street restaurant in North Muskegon.
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Feller Wins Award

2012-01-20T05:57:00.001-05:00

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At last night's meeting Charlie DeWitt presents brother Feller with his award for winning the 4-person 2011 "Most Species Seen in Michigan" contest. Feller's 216 beat out Charlie, Kathryn Mork and Ric Pedler.

Field Trip Saturday

2012-01-04T19:21:00.009-05:00

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Wastewater to Northside Field Trip

Saturday Morning, January 21
Leader: Ken Sherburn

Meet at McDonald’s in front of the K-Mart on Apple Avenue at 7:00 a.m. for coffee/breakfast/BS (Bird Stories). At 8:00 we will be leaving for the Wastewater site. We will work our way back to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve in North Muskegon and end with lunch at the Mainstreet Restaurant around 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

2012-01-02T11:22:00.004-05:00

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Feller, Charlie, Kathryn and I "compete" for most species each year, and we usually begin together on New Years Day.
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Yesterday Charlie and Kathryn couldn't make it, so Feller (and Judy and Connie and Dayle) and I met to get a head start on the pack. This felt good to me because I traditionally come in last. (Unofficially last year it was Feller-216, Charlie-212, Kathryn-209 and Yours Truly-201.)
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After perusing the South Breakwall, "Nugent Lake", DeWitt's and the Wastewater before the weather turned from ugly to really ugly, I was pleased to have 33 species for 2012, probably my best first day number ever. Most were the regular suspects, but a few were problematic birds for any year and good to have in the book (Purple Sandpiper, Glaucous Gull, Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike).
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Charlie emailed last night that he'd finally been able to get out for a 30-species day. So at least for a few days, I have a lead on somebody, though one of Charlie's birds was also a good problematic species: Red-headed Woodpecker. (Fortunately a couple of these will probably migrate over the Channel this fall while I'm hawk-watching; I'd not want to bet I'd get one around Muskegon in its regular habitat anymore.)
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This morning after shoveling snow for the first time this winter, I took a brief walk around my neighborhood collecting six new species along the way: Blue Jay, House Finch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow and Red-breasted Nuthatch. So I'm at 39 species and may even have put some distance between me and the competition. I'm realistic enough to know that I'll probably finish last again when 2012 is over. But it's fun all year, especially at the beginning of a new one!
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- Ric
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Seed Price Correction

2011-12-15T06:20:00.001-05:00

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Carol Cooper Email Dec. 14, 2011:
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The price for the seed in the Newsletter should have read $24.99 not $34.99. It has since come down to 20.99 for 40 lbs. of black oil seed.
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November Field Trip Report

2011-11-19T16:39:00.001-05:00

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Fourteen people participated in this morning's Northside Field Trip tallying approximately 40 bird species (depending on how you count).
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Prior to our walk around the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve, someone reported a Canada Goose at the Causeway. At the preserve were 7 Mute Swan, 6 Mallard, 12 Blue Jay, 10 American Crow, 80 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 8 American Tree Sparrow, 1 Northern Cardinal, 2 American Robin, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 3 Dark-eyed Junco, 7 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 European Starling, 3 Red-winged Blackbird, 8 House Finch, 3 American Goldfinch and 2 Rock Pigeon.
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In Muskegon Lake were 1500+ American Coot, 200 Bufflehead, 8 Redhead, 50 Common Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 15 Horned Grebe. There was 1 American Black Duck in the Bear Lake Channel.
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At Snug Harbor we tallied 10 Mute Swan, 1 Blue Jay, 3 American Crow, 1 Gull Species, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Mourning Dove, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 7 Dark-eyed Junco, 7 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 American Goldfinch, 1 Bald Eagle, 4 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Tufted Titmouse, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4 Horned Grebe, 27 Pine Siskin (perhaps the same flock seen yesterday 1/4 mile away), 8 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 adult female Merlin, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker and 6 Mallard.
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After the group broke up at noon Janet drove out to the Lake and saw some Eastern Bluebirds, Feller tallied some House Sparrows, and Ric drove under two Red-tailed Hawks soaring south of the Causeway.
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October Field Trip Report

2011-10-23T18:12:00.004-04:00

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Eighteen members of the club followed Feller DeWitt on his Wastewater fieldtrip Saturday morning, Oct. 22, unofficially tallying tens of thousands of birds of 45 different species.

Highlights included a virtually endless stream of blackbirds, thousands of gulls, thousands of geese, thousands of ducks (including one Northern Pintail male and four Green-winged Teal), three Yellow-rumped Warblers, our first Rough-legged Hawk of the year and a Peregrine Falcon (photos of both these birds are posted on Recent Sightings.)

Muskegon Wastewater System, Muskegon, US-MI
Oct 22, 2011 8:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Comments: Muskegon County Nature Club Fieldtrip
45 species (+3 other taxa)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5000
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 6
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 200
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 2000
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 1
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 4
Redhead (Aythya americana) 6
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 1
Greater/Lesser Scaup (Aythya marila/affinis) 6
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 20
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 4000
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 2
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 immature
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) 1 light morph
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) 1 unbanded juvenile
American Coot (Fulica americana) 300
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 17
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 2
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 1
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) 4
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 4
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 6
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) X
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) X
gull sp. (Larinae sp.) 5000
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 5
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) 12
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 3
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 7
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 200
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 60
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 3
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) X See blackbird sp
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 6
blackbird sp. (Icteridae sp.) 3000 Flock flowing southeastward for +20 minutes - may all have been RWBL
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
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September Field Trip Report

2011-09-17T19:17:00.008-04:00

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Ken Sherburn led a group of ten people around Gale's Pond this morning. Most of the time was spent on the marsh boardwalk.
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Among the 32 bird species around the pond were Common Yellowthroats, a Pileated Woodpecker, Tennessee and Magnolia Warblers, two Sandhill Cranes and two juvenile Cooper's Hawks which showed off frequently, one of them eventually flying directly over us, and one of them leaving a calling card.
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After eating breakfast at Sadey's in Walkerville, we headed to the Walkinshaw Preserve and observed a Northern Harrier, three Sandhill Cranes and four Red-breasted Mergansers bringing our Day Total to 34 species.

August Field Trip Report

2011-08-20T15:11:00.003-04:00

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Charlie DeWitt, Carol DeWitt, Feller DeWitt, Karen Zipser, Carol Cooper, John Walhout, Connie Peoples, Pat Bazaney, Ken Sherburn, Kevin Dine, Dave Jacobs and Kathryn Mork (with a brief appearance by Rosemary Radius of Grand Rapids Audubon) followed Ric Pedler around various Wastewater locations this morning tallying 89 shorebirds of 8 species despite our late start (for which Ric was justifiably chastised).
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Aerator #3 provided the most shorebirds (49 of 5 species) but Aerator #5 the most shorebird diversity (9 individuals, but 6 species!): Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Baird's Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope.
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Besides the shorebirds reported to eBird below, our group also found a Great Egret at the Clay Pond and a Cooper's Hawk alongside Swanson south of White.
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Muskegon Wastewater System, Muskegon, US-MI
Aug 20, 2011 9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Muskegon County Nature Club Shorebird Fieldtrip
8 species

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 4
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 21
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) 6
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 47
Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) 1
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2.
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July Field Trip Report

2011-07-16T16:17:00.007-04:00

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This morning eight people birded two Montague nature preserves, Henderson and Clear Springs, enjoying a beautiful summer morning, recording 23 species of birds (including a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on her nest) and observing a busy beaver.
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Merissa and Erica watch as Diane Morton-Pletcher finds a plant in John Walhout's book. Carol Cooper looks on.

June Field Trip Report

2011-06-13T07:23:00.014-04:00

On Saturday, June 18, Greg Swanson led eight people on a 2.5 hour walk around the Howard Christensen Nature Center in northern Kent County. Here he introduces his old friend Eileen (pronounced "I-Lean") to the group. (She's the large, old, decaying White Pine in the background.)
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The group recorded 44 bird species: Veery, pewee, crow, robin, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, cardinal, Ovenbird, tanager, jay, chickadee, Green Heron, yellowthroat, Red-eyed Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Great Blue Heron, Red-bellied Woodpecker, grackle, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-breasted Nuthatch, creeper, waxwing, grosbeak, Song Sparrow, Alder Flycatcher, catbird, titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, vulture, phoebe, towhee, bunting, cowbird, Wood Thrush, Red-winged Blackbird, redstart, House Wren, House Sparrow, Tree Swallow, goldfinch and Mourning Dove.
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We would appreciate an identification of this plant if anybody knows. Be aware that the Christensen property is home to many non-native species planted by the original owners. (For a closer view, click this photo and then click the enlarged photo.)
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'..

( Email Ric: oakridge35@yahoo.com )

May 21 Big Day Report (115 Species)

2011-05-22T13:55:00.020-04:00

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I arrived at Lane's Landing at 4:40. Charlie DeWitt was already there (I think he camped in the woods) and his big brother Feller arrived a few minutes later.
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The first bird was an early-singing robin at 4:57. Shortly after 5:00 Dick Good showed up, a nighthawk buzzed overhead and Carolyn Weng arrived. After adding meowing catbirds to our list, we five headed in the road, stopping twice before the marsh to listen for owls. We heard none (an early turkey hunter's arrival didn't help any) but added Judy Fleener, Wood Thrush and Whip-poor-will before parking at the inner gate.
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An American Bittern was thunder-pumping loudly northeast of the gate where the Trumpeter Swan has resided in previous years. Unfortunately today we never heard or saw the swan (and would appreciate hearing from anyone who does).
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Still too dark to see birds or notes without a flashlight, we listened to Mourning Dove, Yellow Warbler, Canada Goose and Red-winged Blackbird (far fewer species than are traditionally heard here before daylight).
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Walking north beyond the gate with conditions allowing us to see and hear, we collected Willow Flycatcher, Song and Swamp Sparrows, Great Blue Heron, Warbling Vireo (common everywhere we went today), Rose-breasted Grosbeak, crow, Mallard, grackle, Sandhill Crane and Wood Duck.
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Connie Peoples, Kathryn Mork, John Walhout, Pat Bazany and Carol Brook joined our party bringing word with them of a female Black-throated Blue Warbler near the inner gate parking lot. We then added kingbird, Tree Swallow, Marsh Wren, Mute Swan, Cedar Waxwing, Red-tailed Hawk, Hooded Merganser, flicker and hummingbird.
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Nearing the woods I called out the Blue Jay flying overhead, but Feller trumped that immediately with the Least Bittern also flying over! Don Avery joined the group.
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Along the northern portions of the marsh we added Barn Swallow, Downy Woodpecker, Black-billed Cuckoo (coo-coo .. coo-coo-cooing from the woods northwest of where we later had views of him distending his throat as he sang), goldfinch, Alder Flycatcher, cowbird, Least Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo and Great Crested Flycatcher.
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With everyone slathered in bug dope, we entered the woods north of the marsh. (Although the mosquitoes were thick here and later along the Maple River, not as thick as those years when we had trouble seeing through them). As most of us worked the west side to positively identify (finally) the redstarts, Charlie located Prothonotary Warbler (at least two) at their usual location east of the trail.
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Janet Helmer arrived and we added White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo (koup-kouping from the north, then moving to the trees along the west side of the trail).
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Although low water levels would have allowed us to continue north to the River, we chose instead to head back at 8:45 to have more time at State Game Area headquarters.
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Lane's Landing provided nine more species before we left (vulture, cardinal, White-crowned Sparrow, thrasher, tanager, bunting, pewee, chickadee and Ruffed Grouse) several near the road on our drive out. This gave us a disappointly low total of only 57 species as we headed for Messinger Road. With a start like this, we might not reach 100 for the day!
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We began at S.G.A. headquarters around 10:00 with the usual birds near the buildings: House Finch and Sparrow, starling, bluebird, Chipping Sparrow and phoebe, the first of 18 species we'd record on S.G.A. properties.
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Our walk west along the north bank of the Maple River and back along the south (plus lunchtime at S.G.A. headquarters) provided Blue-winged Warbler (at least two north of the river, two more south), titmouse, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpecker, gnatcatcher and Ovenbird before we heard and watched a Cerulean Warbler north of the river (there were probably two and possibly three) and a Swainson's Thrush south.
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Later came House Wren, turkey and Field Sparrow for a total of 75 species when we entered the Wastewater properties shortly after 1:00.
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Knowing that species get harder to add as the day gets longer, a certain pessimist (initials "F.D.") worried that we might find only 14 species on the W.W. properties this afternoon. In reality the Wastewater would provide more than twice that many. Also in reality, I was as pessimistic beforehand as F.D.
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Along the dry cells we added shoveler, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Spotted Sandpiper, Bank Swallow, kingfisher, Gadwall, Killdeer, Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Bobolink, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Horned Lark.
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Near the aeration cells and around the West Lagoon we added Herring and Ring-billed Gull, Cliff Swallow, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin (a flock of 45), Ruddy Duck, cormorant, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged Teal, Least Sandpiper, coot, Canvasback, Horned Grebe, Bufflehead and Lesser Yellowlegs.
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The south Wastewater properties gave up Orchard Oriole and Vesper Sparrow (the Wastewater total was 31) increasing our Big Day count to 106 as the weather turned sprinkly.
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After supper at the North Muskegon McDonald's, six people began searching the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve at 5:35.
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M.L.N.P. would provide only three new species (quite disappointing), but one truly remarkable bird. Unable to locate the moorhen that's been here all spring or to find any trace of a warbler flock, we settled for Peregrine Falcon (in the nest box on the Cobb Plant smokestack) and Rock Pigeon before Janet and Feller located a Northern Mockingbird near the picnic pavilion!
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With 109 birds in hand, a light rain falling and conditions not promising, some called it a day. A few of us, buoyed by thoughts of a warbler flock at Snug Harbor and the good chance of adding Bald Eagle, Magnolia Warbler and Hairy Woodpecker, continued the hunt.
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Arriving at 6:50, we were surprised and pleased to meet Ken Sherburn. Even more surprising was the fact that we would find six new species this late on a Big Day with the light fading.
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Hearing what may have been a Blue-headed Vireo along the "Bay Mills trail", we expended precious daylight trying unsuccessfully to find that bird. Walking out to "warbler alley" we looked up and added #110 Bald Eagle. Further west came #111 Magnolia Warbler and #112 Black-throated Green Warbler.
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Returning toward the parking lot we spotted #113 Lincoln's Sparrow just before exiting the woods. Another of these appeared later along the harbor fringe.
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A warbler flock indeed existed at Snug Harbor near the water south of the picnic building. Trouble was, the light was nearly gone, the birds were catching freshly hatched bugs at the very tops of the trees, they were moving frenetically fast, almost impossible to focus on, and we could only see their undersides. Of those we could identify, only one was a new species for the count: #114 Wilson's Warbler (male and female).
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While we were moving around under those trees, Ken apparently walked too near a bird on a lower branch because it flew quickly out, vocalizing all the way, and continued to scold Ken for more than a minute from another tree. This male Harry Woodpecker was our last species for the day: #115.
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As we stood beside our cars after 8:00 ready to depart, three nighthawks appeared overhead. Poetically they could have been our first and last species if not for those early robins at Lane's Landing.
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Nowhere near the Muskegon Big Day record of 157, we departed satisfied with our 115 species.
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- Ric Pedler
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Thanks to Charlie and Carolyn for the pictures.
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May 19 Picnic

2011-05-17T06:24:00.014-04:00

MCNC Members and Guests enjoyed the potluck at the picnic pavilion at Hoffmaster State Park on Thursday, May 19.

13 Good Places to Bird in Muskegon County

2010-03-31T19:50:00.017-04:00

The following list of the 13 top birding sites in Muskegon County was compiled by Brian Johnson for publication in the Sept.-Dec. 2003 issue of the Michigan Audubon Society's Jack Pine Warbler.

A few details about the sites were updated on the previous Muskegon County Nature Club website by Ric Pedler in February 2008. The number order reflects Brian's opinion in 2003 of the relative quality of the sites; i.e. Lane's Landing ranked as the number one birding site in the county. (You can click the map above to see a larger image.)

1. Lane's Landing: West off Maple Island Road one mile north of the Muskegon Wastewater entrance. Assuming good weather, birders could see and/or hear 100 species in a day here during the peak of the spring migration. BE CAREFUL ENTERING AND EXITING MAPLE ISLAND ROAD !

2. The Muskegon Wastewater System: Lagoons, fields and woodlots east of Maple Island Road and north of Apple Avenue (M-46) attract migrating shorebirds, waterbirds and raptors. Grass fields, marshes and woodlots south of Apple Avenue are excellent for Upland Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, sparrows and hawks. Known throughout the state, this area is patrolled by police regularly. You must register at the office and receive a pass to birdwatch here.

3. Muskegon State Park: Snug Harbor on Ruddiman Drive west of North Muskegon provides excellent birding with paths leading south to the Muskegon Channel and north around Lost Lake. Dunes north of the Muskegon Channel provide good viewing of migrating hawks. Michigan State Park sticker required.

4. Causeway Area: View birds along the ponds of Veterans Memorial Park. Look for breeding Peregrine Falcons on the B.C. Cobb Plant smokestack. Look for songbirds in the thick habitat of the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve northwest of the Causeway. View waterbirds from the birdwatching sign on the Muskegon Conservation Club property west of the preserve.

5. Muskegon State Game Area Headquarters: Adjacent to Lane's Landing, accessible from Maple Island Road a mile north of the Lane's Landing entrance. The loop path along the banks of the Maple River and adjacent woods and fields provide nearly as many species as Lane's Landing. Excellent for spring warblers, Wilson's Snipe, vireos, cuckoos, etc., etc.

6. Pere Marquette Park: "The Ovals" city park on the shore of Lake Michigan south of the Muskegon Channel. Check the breakwater rocks for Purple Sandpipers from late fall through winter when conditions are safe, and the lakeshore anytime for gulls, waterbirds, raptors, etc. Also try along the one-mile channel wall and at Kruse Park two miles south at the end of Sherman Blvd.

7. White River Marsh: View birds from the walking path along the east side of Business US-31 between Whitehall and Montague. During migration raptors cruise the flats. Waterfowl are common in the open water. The cattail flats supply typical marsh species like herons, rails and swallows.

8. Hoffmaster State Park: Between Grand Haven and Muskegon at the west end of Pontaluna Road. This combination of woodland, stream, dune and shoreline habitats provides very good birding in the breeding season and excellent birding during migrations. Michigan State Park Sticker required.

9. White Lake Channel: West of the White Lake Country Club. Like the Muskegon Channel, but on a smaller scale. Duck species such as Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Greater and Lesser Scaup and Redhead can be seen when the lakes start to freeze. For whatever reason, this channel is more reliable for Long-tailed Ducks and scoters. Grebes also occur here.

10. Lake Harbor Park and Mona Lake Channel: North side of the channel west of Lake Harbor Road. Lake Harbor Park is mostly a migrant songbird site. Although small, its proximity to Lake Michigan can supply good diversity and numbers. In the winter the boardwalk offers views of wintering waterfowl and gulls. These birds may be far out or just off the channel.

11. Ravenna Sewage Ponds: Southwest of the village of Ravenna, this is a migrant waterfowl and shorebird site. It's like the Muskegon Wastewater System on a much smaller scale.

12. Hilton Park Road: One mile west of the Wastewater properties at the road's northern end. Excellent for spring migrants. During breeding season regularly-occurring birds have included Acadian Flycatcher and Great Horned Owl. Unfortunately the smell of dead fish is often present here.

13. Mill Iron Road: Midway between Muskegon and the Wastewater properties. Bird feeders on private property (but viewable from the public access site where the road ends at the Muskegon River) provide every possible feeder bird in wintertime including all six local woodpeckers. The power line easement a quarter mile south of the dead-end provides excellent birding west to the river during spring migration and the breeding season.