Wastewater CBC Report

The 2023 Muskegon Wastewater Christmas Bird Count, one of over 70 such CBC's across Michigan, was completed on Wednesday, December 20. Established in 1999, and registered with the National Audubon Society as an official count in 2005, the Wastewater CBC has been held every winter since its inception. This year 12 volunteers, split among 6 groups, maintained coverage from 8:00 until the last party finished at 16:35. Observers accrued 220 miles by car and 11.2 miles on foot. The participants were Charlie DeWitt and Eli Rotman; Terry Grabill, Andrea Grabill, Brennan Shuler, and Emily Bish; Beth Miller and Jo Popma; Dayle Vanderwier; Steve Minard and Sam Greene; and Brian Johnson.

Over the history of the count, the daily mean temperature has averaged 32.7°, with actual temperatures on count days varying from 16° to 61°. In 2023, for third consecutive winter, temperatures were mild, rising from 32° to 40° during the count period. Aside from an aberrant winter storm on Halloween, weather prior to count day also had been unusually pleasant, likely emanating from both increasing annual temperatures and a developing El Niño over the Pacific. The last 18 days before the CBC were warmer than normal, and on count day only 1 inch of snow covered shady areas. Water, including the Wastewater lagoons and the Lanes Landing marshes, was generally free of ice. Moreover, conditions on count day were great for birding. Although near overcast skies persisted, precipitation was absent, and winds were unusually light (4-7 mph from the SE).

These conditions offered an enjoyable day afield, and we accrued 8748 birds of 66 species. The species total far exceeds our previous average of 54.3 and is bested only by 67 species from 2012. The unusually extensive  areas of open water resulted in 22 species of waterbirds (average 13.5). Furthermore, summer and fall carry-overs (e.g. Yellow-rumped Warbler) numbered 13, which matches our previous high.

Of the 66 species found on count day, 50 surpassed their long-term averages. Only Wild Turkey and Black Duck were scarce, and misses this year were insignificant: mentionable ones being Snowy Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, and Song Sparrow - all historically irregular. Conversely, six species set new high records: Common Goldeneye (6), Iceland Gull (2), Northern Harrier (8), Northern Flicker (19), American Kestrel (22), and Eastern Bluebird (52).

Other outstanding counts or species included: Snow Goose (1), Tundra Swan (10), Northern Pintail (7), Ring-necked Duck (26), Hooded Merganser (28), Ruddy Duck (280), Screech-Owl (1), Short-eared Owl (1), Winter Wren (1), White-throated Sparrow (2), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (2). A Common Grackle at the State Game Area provided our first record since 2002. However, no new species were found this year, so our cumulative total remains 116.

I have attached a spreadsheet that details the results each zone in 2023.*

Many thanks to all who helped with the count, this year and in the past. I hope to see you next year.

Brian Johnson

* Anyone wanting a copy of the spreadsheet may contact Ric or Brian.

January Events

Jan 16 Program

CANCELED DUE TO BAD WEATHER!

    

January 20 Field Trip

Resource Recovery Properties

    
    Meet at 9:00 on Saturday morning, January 20, 2024, at the outer entrance to the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, 698 N. Maple Island Road.  This is a mostly-by-car trip around the "Wastewater properties" stopping to find birds along the way (dress for the weather).  Having a walkie-talkie tuned to Channel 11, Subchannel 0 can be helpful, but is not necessary.
    We will quit around noon.  This trip is open to the public;  We hope to see you there!   

November 18 Field Trip Report

     Nine people birded two locations this Saturday morning.  They enjoyed walks around the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve and the trail from Snug Harbor to Lost Lake at Muskegon State Park.

    Few bird showed themselves due in part to the time of year and nearby duck hunters.  All told twelve species were identified: American Tree Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Ring-billed Gull, Red-tailed Hawk (harassed by Blue Jay), American Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Mallard, American Robin and Dark-eyed Junco.

November Events

November 18 Field Trip

Snug Harbor (Muskegon State Park)

Ken Sherburn, Leader

    We will meet at 9:00 on Saturday morning, November 18, in the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve parking lot.  For an hour or so we will walk around the preserve looking for whatever bird species we can find.

    Later we will drive out to the Snug Harbor parking lot at Muskegon State Park to bird that area until about noon.  Hope to see you there!

November 21 Program

1-Year Quest to Photograph America's Owls

Mike Overway

    Shortly before the pandemic, Mike Overway of the Holland Audubon Society had the brilliant idea of a collaboration of planned vacations, mission trips, and bird outings that would cleverly allow for the possibility to see and photograph all nineteen of North America's resident owls in one calendar year.  Join us to see how the best laid plans and some dubious but splendiferous luck worked out as he bounced all over the United States.  Hear about the friends who helped, the fascinating people encountered, the wonderful birds and mammals seen, and how this potentially ill-timed effort unfolded.

    Mike and Amy Overway are lifelong Holland residents and have three adult children.  They enjoy traveling, camping, outdoor activities, and mission trips, and are heavily involved at church.  Mike has been a "birder" for over 20 years, a carpenter for over 25 years, and a lover of nature for as long as he can remember.  Recently, he has realized that he may be more of a "natural treasure hunter" than anything else as he and Amy have spent time looking for the next new fish while snorkeling, the next new peak, stream or cave while hiking, the next shark tooth, the next fossil, the next rock, or the next seashell, all along with the next new bird.  They are certainly blessed with wondrous variety!

    MCNC programs are in conjunction with the Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society at the Loutit Library, 407 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven.  Social time 6:00-6:30 p.m., program 6:30-8:00).

October Events

October 21 Field Trip

* Canceled *

Due to the bad weather forecast, our Clear Springs Field Trip has been canceled!

October 17 Program

"Birds of Prey"

Blandford Nature Center

Our programs are in conjunction with the Owashtanog Islands Audubon Society. 

Location:  Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven

Date:  Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Social Time:  6:00-6:30

Program Time:  6:30-8:00

Blandford Nature Center's live Birds of Prey program will feature some of our many feathered wildlife ambassadors that call Blandford Nature Center their home.  Our birds of prey are native to Michigan and have permanent injuries, making them unable to survive in the wild.  We will have several of these birds at the library and will be discussing what makes a bird a bird of prey.  We will also be passing around natural artifacts.  

The Loutit Library has asked our officers and members to register on their website for bird programs.  Please visit the Library’s calendar at https://www.loutitlibrary.org/calendar/#/events/ and register.  Registration is free and will help the library keep track of interest in programs presented there.  In addition, by registering you will receive an email reminder of the program and notices for future Muskegon County Nature Club and Owashtanang Island Audubon Club programs.  

September Events

September 16 Field Trip

Dune Harbor County Park

8:00 - Noon

Our field trip this month will be at the new Dune Harbor County Park (the old Nugent Sand Co. properties on the west side of Muskegon) on Saturday morning, September 16.  Originally we posted that we’d start at 8:00 at the park entrance on Lincoln Street south of Winnetaska Road (across from Southwood Ave.).  There will still be a club member there at 8:00 if that’s where you go.  But we’ll actually start at the parking lot on Seminole Road along the south side of the park.  We will look for birds on the path around the lake.  The trip will end around noon.  Hope to see you there!

September 19

First Meeting of the Season

5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Our first of three business meetings this season will be at 5:30 p.m. on September 19 at the Loutit Library before Steve Hamburg's program.  We should know more details that day about the George Wickstrom project at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center.  This will also be a good time to renew your membership dues ($20 per year).  All members are invited to attend.  

September 19 Program

Birding in Uganda

Steve Hamburg

The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Ave. in Grand Haven.

Uganda in eastern Africa is a beautiful country with a diversity of habitats including forests, plains and rivers.  It is situated on the edge of Lake Victoria and is where the Nile River begins its long journey north toward Egypt.  Not only does the country have some of the last remaining populations of wild chimpanzees and gorillas, but it has a great variety of birdlife.  In 2021, Covid restrictions made it difficult to travel, but Uganda was one country that had not yet closed its borders to tourists.  Taking advantage of the opportunity, Steve was able to spend three weeks there, visiting several national parks and doing what he likes most, birding.

Steve Hamberg was born and raised in Holland, Michigan.  He graduated from Calvin University with a degree in Physics, then moved to Kansas where he received his PhD in Radiation Biophysics, and after that his MD degree, both from the University of Kansas.  In Miami, Florida, he did his residency in Internal Medicine with the University of Miami.  He next moved to Swaziland in southern Africa where he practiced as a missionary doctor for four years.  In 1990, he moved back to Holland and joined an Internal Medicine practice until the practice was acquired by Spectrum Hospital.  He continued as a physician with Spectrum, focusing mainly on care of nursing home residents until he retired in 2022.  Ever since in Africa, he has enjoyed international birding as a hobby.  To date, he has traveled to 90 countries and has seen over 7,500 species of birds worldwide.

August 19 Field Trip

NOTICE: Change of date (updated Aug. 11):

Our August field trip to the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (Wastewater) will be on August 19, the third Saturday of the month, as usual.  (It was previously posted as a week later.)

Our group will meet just inside the Maple Island Road entrance to the MCRRC at 9:00 a.m.  Besides looking for shorebirds, we’ll also try for late summer grassland birds.  Having a walkie-talkie tuned to Channel 11, Subchannel 0 can be helpful but is not necessary.  Bring yours if you have one; the club will also have a few there for borrowing.

This trip will end around noon.  The public is welcome.

Muskegon Peregrines Update

Below is a summary of recent email and Discord (birding app) posts regarding Peregrine Falcons in downtown Muskegon.  Here's a photo from Wildside Rehab of one of the juveniles that was "rescued" and is now in rehab prior to release.

As some of you may recall, peregrines successfully fledged numerous youngsters for several years using the nest boxes on what used to be the tallest object in Muskegon County, the smokestack of the B.C. Cobb plant.

Those boxes were moved to the roof of the Shoreline Inn before destruction of the smokestack.  Although the boxes were never used as nest sites, peregrines were sometimes seen on that roof killing pigeons and rearing young.

Unlike the old Cobb Plant properties, ground level in downtown Muskegon is no place for a fledgling falcon.  Three juveniles, one last year, two this year, were recovered from the ground near the Huntington Bank Building and it's been confirmed that peregrines are using that rooftop ledge for nesting.

Although there's nothing definite yet, it's possible that the Shoreline Inn boxes might be moved to the Huntington Bank building with future youngsters perhaps being banded as were the Cobb Plant young. 

July 8 Butterfly Field Trip

Five people arrived at the Muskegon State Game Area headquarters for our scheduled butterfly field trip but left soon afterward due to rainy conditions.

June 3 Allegan Field Trip Report

Nine adults and four juveniles birded two sections of the Allegan State Game Area this morning.  All told we found 59 bird species along the way.  (Photos below by Carol DeWitt.)

We began with stops along the fields and woodlots of the farm unit.  Notable species included many Dickcissels; Willow, Least and Great-crested Flycatcher; Bobolink; Ring-necked Pheasant; Green Heron; Brown Thrasher; Vesper, Field and Grasshopper Sparrow; Bobolink; Eastern Meadowlark; Red-tailed Hawk; Eastern Towhee; Orchard Oriole; Cedar Waxwing and American Redstart.

Then we drove a few miles east of Fennville to bird the huge tract of woods in the eastern SGA.  Bird species included Eastern Wood-Pewee; Ovenbird; Hooded, Cerulean and Blue-winged Warbler; Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Veery; Scarlet Tanager; Pileated Woodpecker; Acadian and Least Flycatcher; and Yellow-throated Vireo.

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak with food for her family. 

We stopped birding around 12:30.  Most of us then enjoyed a late lunch at the Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant west of Fennville before returning home.