Poronto's Birding Macomb Twp and Beyond

New Blog Location.....

2012-08-14T09:18:00.001-04:00

Hi all,

I have moved my Blog... My new address is http://porontosbirdingmacomb.com/ I hope you will join me on the new blog as I will update it frequently as I come across interesting Bird sightings or whatever cool wildlife I bump into as I travel thru Macomb County and Beyond......

Lk St. Clair Metropark

2012-08-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Took a quick trip at dawn to Lk St. Clair Metropark to scope the beach.... Nothing new... There were a scattering of Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpipers.... There were a few Caspian Terns buzzing along the shore at times... I heard a report of a Common Tern sitting within the Ring-billed Gulls the other day, but I had no such luck today.... A very large flock of Swallows near the parking lot.... estimate at least 200... Mostly Barn and Bank..... click on photos to enlarge

Dunlin

Great Egret

Spotted Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Common Nighthawk... Eppler Junior High

2012-08-05T21:26:00.001-04:00

I finally got to see one of the Common Nighthawks (214) that have nested near Eppler Junior High in Utica.... Kevin Rysiewski found them in the spring... I have known that they were there all summer but I just haven't got my butt into my car to get over there and see them.... I pulled into the parking lot of the school at 845 and I had them with in 10 minutes flying high over the rooftop.... They love to nest on flat roof tops, so I suspect that they nested at Eppler this year....

Piping Plover.... regret that I couldn't go...

2012-08-05T18:47:00.003-04:00

I got an email from my friend Mick today... He had the fortune of guarding a Piping Plover nest in an undisclosed location near Glen Arbor... people are taking turns watching over the nest and making sure no predators like Merlins and Humans get to the chicks.... Mick is a new photographer so to have the opportunity to guard the nest and photograph these amazing little birds, was a chance he could not pass up.... I cant wait to see his photos.... He sent me one teaser..... click to enlarge...

Hot afternoon for birding...

2012-08-05T18:43:00.003-04:00

I took a run to Wetzel State Park today... It was 90 degrees out and I had my back pack on and carrying my tripod and scope... whooo!! that was a work out... Least Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers (4), Lesser Yellowlegs (8), Spotted Sandpipers and a million Killdeer.... I saw one Osprey soaring over the ponds north of 27 mile rd... Several Bobolinks in Fall Plumage throughout the park.... a couple of Green Heron....

Leucistic Songbird at Wetzel

2012-07-31T21:45:00.000-04:00

I went birding at Wetzel State Park tonite with Kevin Rysiewski... There were a decent number of shorebirds in the various ponds... We had Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and of course, Killdeer.... Plenty of Green Herons about....

Highlight of the evening was a Leucistic bird that we seen toward the end of the evening... The sun was beginning to set and the lighting was not good... I saw a bird fly across the path... I turned and looked at Kevin and said, "hey, a white bird just flew over the path".... Kevin probaly thought I was crazy... we continued walking when all of a sudden the white bird flew in front of us along the pond, sitting in the reeds and the bushes surrounding the pond.... I managed to get a few pics.... Quality is poor because it was dark and shaded, but looking at the tail and its bill, I am going with Bobolink.... Please feel free to leave your guess in the comments..... Very cool way to end a nice evening of birding.....click on photos to enlarge...

Imm. Herons.. Lk. St. Clair Metropark

2012-07-31T21:15:00.003-04:00

Stopped by the park today looking for the Least Bitterns.... I seem to be the only one who had not photographed them this summer.... No luck on the Bitterns, but I did manage to see at least 3 Imm. Black-crowned Night Herons and many Green Herons.... click on photos to enlarge..

Imm Green Heron

Imm Black-crowned Night Heron

Shorebirds - Lk St. Clair Metropark

2012-07-30T22:20:00.001-04:00

Took a quick run by Lk St. Clair Metropark today... Beach was active although nothing rare or unusual... I spotted one Caspian Tern sitting with the gulls on the beach... Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plover (5 of them), Least Sandpiper, Sanderling, Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs were all on the beach.... There was a group of Foresters Terns that were making flybys... I love the rusty color in the Juvenile birds... click to enlarge photos..

Caspian Tern

Dunlin

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Lesser Yellowlegs

Juvenile Foresters Tern

Hummingbirds.... Fascinating birds...

2012-07-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

As I have written in previous posts, this is the first year that we have had Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the yard... We started off the year with a Male and a Female.... The Male became the dominent visitor in the yard and chased off the female.... So for awhile it was only him coming to the feeder.... he did not look well... his feathers looked worn and his behavior was odd.... he would not hover at the feeder... he would fly in and sit and stick his tounge out in the air and make this very weird sound.... One day he was gone... and the female returned.... She visited the feeder many times during the day.... Different than the male because she was very shy.... She was considerably larger and was a beautiful bird.... I assumed that she had a nest near by and I anxiously waited the arrival of her young to the yard.... One day, she showed up and she had another small "female" with her.... I assumed that this was her young... they hung together for about a week.... Then, she would not come as much, and the young one would come on its own..... Now for the last week a Male has shown up in the yard.... he takes turns coming to the feeder alternating visits with the young Hummingbird.... He is very sharp looking and although not as shy as Momma hummingbird, he is still weary of us as we stare out the window..... I managed to snap a few pics of both the young bird and the new Male today.... I think that the young one is a Male because I can see a streaked or spotted throat, but everything I have read says that its not certain until the following spring..... I look forward to another month of watching them and I will be sad to see them go south....... click on photos to enlarge....

The Hummingbirds love to perch on the dead branches above the feeder

Looking for Baird's reported at Lk. St. Clair Metropark.... Dipped

2012-07-24T19:07:00.001-04:00

I got a call from Kevin R that Brandon had found a Baird's Sandpiper at Lk. St. Clair Metropark... I was on my way home from work and headed that way.... I found the bird that was described to me and took a bunch of photos.... greenish legs and wings that did not extend beyond the tail.... bummer, It was a Juvenile Least Sandpiper... although a good looking bird.... I also watched a couple of Semipalmated Sandpipers for a minute before I took off..... Hopefully Kevin finds the bird tonite.... click to enlarge....

Least Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Wetzel State Park.... Birds, Butterflies and Dragonflies.....

2012-07-21T16:39:00.001-04:00

Took a long walk out at Wetzel today... There is some good Shorebird habitat... just no shorebirds... hopefully soon... I didn't see much exciting in the world of birds... Just the usual GB Herons, Great Egrets, Pied-billed Grebes and a couple of Blue-winged Teal.... There were Field Sparrows, Willow Flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats and Marsh Wrens here and there.... I saw one Sharp-shinned Hawk flyover and a couple of Red-tailed Hawks soared by.... Butterflies were plentiful.... I didn't have my Macro Lens with me (my preferred lens for shooting insects) but I managed to grab a few pics with the zoom.... Dragonflies were also darting about... most of them were not sitting still enough for photos... but I managed a couple... click to enlarge...

Giant Swallowtail

Halloween Pennant

way above my head.... I like that it was
Silhouetted against the sky

Eastern Tailed Blue

Common Yellowthroat

Blue Dasher

Pointe Mouillee -

2012-07-20T17:21:00.003-04:00

I stopped by Pointe Mouillee after work today... I was in the area... It is only my third time there.... I figured I would walk out to cell 3 and see what was around.... There were a good number of Least Sandpipers... probably a couple of dozen... there were also a dozen or more Lesser Yellowlegs... I saw two Solitary Sandpipers..... Unexpected was the 6 Sanderlings that were working the Mudflat on the side of cell 3 near the lake... I also had one Dowitcher.... I think it is a Long-billed based upon the length of bill, but the feathers on the back look more like a Short-billed... So I am seeking additional opinions.... There were a good number of Caspian Terns around, several Osprey and one Bald Eagle.... All Swallow species were seen today and an unexpected Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the thickets near the parking lot.... There were Dragonflies everywhere!!!!!

Forgive the poor quality of the Dowitcher photos.... It was a long way off and these are heavily cropped... click to enlarge...

Bonaparte's Gull and Sanderling

Least Sandpipers

Pied-billed Grebe covered in slime.... yuck

Halloween Pennant

I always thinks its weird to look out of the marsh and see the nuclear plant

Fall Migration is beginning.....

2012-07-12T21:13:00.000-04:00

Reports are starting to come in that shorebirds are beginning to move into the area as they begin there journey south... Least Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs were both at the pond behind Walmart on Hall Rd in Clinton Twp.... I finally got over to Lk. St. Clair Metropark on Monday and saw a couple of Black-crowned Night Herons (213). I checked the little ponds near Selfridge Air force base and they were empty, but I did manage to photograph a nice looking American Kestrel on the wire... Today I took a walk behind the house... I came upon a Spotted Sandpiper that was allowing me some good opportunities for close up shots... Just as I was about to take a picture, a young Sandpiper stood up next to his parent... I snapped a quick shot, and just then, the Adult took off and left the youngster, who freaked out and ran toward a ditch with a bunch of muck and plastic garbage... I could hear the adult off in the distance by the pond, but I was concerned for the little one because the area he was running to was a garbage pit.... So, I plucked up the little one and walked over to the pond where its parent was, and let it down and it quickly joined both of its parents..... Then I got out of there.... Not the best situation, but I am glad it turned out ok.... I did get one little cell phone pic before I put the little one down.... click photos to enlarge

American Kestrel

Spotted Sandpiper

Indigo Bunting

BirdWatching Magazine

2012-07-09T21:04:00.001-04:00

Friday I got an email from BirdWatching Magazine... My photo I submitted of a Kirtland's Warbler got chosen as the photo of the week in their online version of the Magazine.... I was very geeked that my Photo was chosen... Especially when I saw all the wonderful photographs posted in the gallery... very cool experience to say the least...

http://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/Online%20Extras/Photo%20of%20the%20Week/Photos/2012/07/Kirtlands%20Warbler.aspx?current=1

Tough Doves....

2012-07-08T23:54:00.002-04:00

Over the past week we have had temperatures nearing a hundred degrees... We also have had a few thunderstorms which dumped a ton of rain on us.... One storm in particular was strong enough to take the little girls playhouse next door, and lift it up in the air and place it on our patio.... In pieces.. Yet, thru all of this, a pair of Mourning Doves raised two young in the gutter above our garage... It had to be like a river running under the nest.... The young doves are about to leave, and I must say, I have learned a new appreciation for these common birds.... click on photos to enlarge

White Ibis - St. Clair County

2012-06-30T14:16:00.001-04:00

I headed to see the White Ibis that has been reported in St. Clair County in the last couple of days... I am not a state lister and I don't keep county lists(other than yearly list for my County)... This bird is so common in the area that we vacation at in Florida, they are like Killdeers here in Michigan.... However, this species has not had very many visits to our state, nor do I think that It is likely to visit again anytime soon.... So out the door I headed.... I got to the location and Darlene Friedman was also driving down the road (Meldrum, North of 26 mi)... It was nice to meet her... she stated that she had been there since 5am looking for the bird... I admit, I was impatient and after an hour of looking for it I left.... I talked to Kevin Rysiewski who was just leaving Wetzel and he told me he was headed that way to look for it.... Sure enough, I get a call from him and he and Darlene were watching it.... Arrghhhh!!! Figures.... I head back that way and as soon as I pull up, it takes off.... never saw it..... I stuck around with Kevin and we patiently waited for its return.... Alan Ryff joined us and we conversed on a number of topics... and waited.... Finally, from up the road in the distance a large bird was moving our way.... Yes!! it flew right over our heads and off into the distance and landed in the middle of a wooded area.... No pictures, but I saw the bird.... My thanks to Kevin for loaning one of his pics to me for putting on my blog and as always, thanks to Kevin and Tom Heatley for the heads up when the bird was first seen....

Link to video that kevin shot.... the heat waves distorted the video a little, but its still cool to watch it move about and feed... http://youtu.be/iy8TEMBl0Rg

Juvenile White Ibis

Kirtland's Warbler - Mio Michigan

2012-06-21T19:14:00.002-04:00

     I met my friend Mick Seymour in Mio on Wednsday to chase after Kirtland's Warblers... Its been years since I have seen one and now that I have the blog and the photography bug, I figured that it was time I revisit one of the coolest birds in Michigan... If not the USA.... So the alarm went off at 0330 on Wed and I headed out the door 15 minutes later.... After 3 hours on the road, I met Mick at the "deluxe" Motor Lodge we were going to be staying at, and we headed out to the two tracks....
     We turned onto Oscoda County Rd 604, with the windows down listening for any warblers or birds we might hear.... It didn't take long to hear something interesting.... We found a Vesper Sparrow calling from a tree... one of the three we would see in a twelve hour period.... another half mile down the road I heard another call... It took me a minute to realize what I was listening too, but sure enough it was a Lincoln's Sparrow.... It was early and the sun was just rising, but I managed a snapshot of the bird singing in the top of a small tree.... We eventually came to a point on 604 where the Jack Pines looked very young, and they were very thick all over a large field.... we turned left onto the two-track and right away noticed the sign stating that this was a Kirtland's Warbler area and no one was allowed to enter the field.... We stopped and listened, but still did not hear one calling... We drove another half a mile down the road and sure enough, we heard our first Male.... it was one of three that we would hear calling in the area that we were in, but the only one that was close enough to the road where we were able to get a few photos.... We also heard a Clay-colored Sparrow in the same area.... Thrilled that we had found Kirtland's Warblers within the first hour we were on the road, we continued on birding as we went.... Listening and stopping when we would hear something interesting.... We found a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos and I was surprised to see them so late in the season..
    Mick and I headed back toward town and made the decision to head down Mckinley Rd, north of town.... I used to hunt in the area off of Old State Rd, so I was familiar with the area.... We took another two track thru the State Forest and managed to come across a Chestnut-Sided Warbler and a Northern Waterthrush.... as we headed down Lebay Road I decided to go down a little two track that bordered another field of young Jack Pines.... There was no sign designating it as a Kirtland Warbler area, but the habitat looked perfect.... we were about to leave the area when we heard one call right off the side of the two track.... we parked and grabbed our cameras, and within a few yards of the road there was a beautiful Kirtland's Warbler that was sitting in a small Jack Pine... he darted from the tree and then he would return.... We snapped a few photos and then left quickly.... not wanting to agitate him anymore..... being able to photograph 2 Kirtland's Warblers, that were on the opposite ends of town, in the same day, was pretty exciting.... In addition to the Kirtland's Warblers, Mick and I saw 62 Species for the day (not too bad for the beginning of summer)... Highlights include Lincoln Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, American Redstart, Black-throated Green Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bobolink, Scarlet Tanager, Black-billed Cuckoo and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.... It was a 9 species Sparrow day!! we struck out on Grasshopper Sparrow..... only 24 hours, but a great trip... click on photos to enlarge....

Kirtland's Warbler

Ovenbird

Lincoln's Sparrow

Black-billed Cuckoo

Father's Day..... Not much to report

2012-06-17T13:11:00.004-04:00

Its been kinda slow around here from the birding aspect.... My resident Willow Flycatcher is still calling daily... We bought a bird bath for our Butterfly Garden and the birds are going nuts.... They take turns bathing and drinking in it.... My wife doesn't exactly like the cleaning it part, but otherwise it would look gross in a hurry.... Heading up north this coming midweek to hopefully photograph some Kirtland Warblers and whatever else is around Mio.... Looking forward to that.... The Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird that has been frequenting our feeder has disappeared and only the female is coming daily..... I am discovering as I watch them that I know very little about there habits...

Dickcissel - Inwood Rd Macomb County

2012-06-09T13:29:00.001-04:00

I got a tip from Mike Mencotti this morning that he had found a Dickcissel off of Inwood Rd West of Mound.... This is a lifer for me.... Not because they are rare, although they are very uncommon in Macomb County.... But, because I never want to chase after it.... I figured one would show up near my home at some point.... of course it took years.... LOL!! I found the bird quite easily sitting up on the wire in the exact location Mike had given me... It was very approachable and offered some great views... Singing Constantly.... Kevin Rysiewski had arrived shortly before me and we enjoyed watching this little guy sing his heart out.... Kevin called me right after I left and he found a second one near the first.... Hope this is a sign they are on Territory.... I really, really appreciated the call from Mike!!!! Thanks Again!!!!! click photos to enlarge

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron - Ford House

2012-06-08T14:56:00.002-04:00

I got a call from Kevin Rysiewski today.... He had just heard from Wayne Hoch that a Yellow-crowned Night Heron (211) was found this morning at the Ford House on Jefferson.... Wayne was headed that way and would let us know if he found it.... Sure enough, he located the bird where he was told it would be and Kevin and I both joined him a short time later..... Beautiful bird just perched up in a tree near the Ford house and the Pool area.... click to enlarge

Hummers in the Morning Light

2012-06-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

Waited for the Sun to rise behind my house so that i could shoot some Pics of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in a better light.... It was worth it.... lots of fun... It looks like I have two separate Males coming to the feeder. The female did not show up this morning.... I will shoot her more on the weekend.

Strange looking Hummingbird? LOLOL!

I've learned a few things about Hummingbirds...

2012-06-06T19:31:00.001-04:00

Ok, I have learned in the last few days since my Hummingbirds showed up. Red Dye is bad... I will change that shortly and that its not good to leave the nectar out for too long... Guess I need to buy a Sam's Club bag of Sugar..... Look forward to the weekend when I can shoot some photos in the Morning light... I sat in a chair next to the feeders this afternoon and they could have cared less... very cool.... click to enlarge

Acadian Flycatcher - Finally

2012-06-05T23:17:00.002-04:00

I have seen Willow, Alder, Least and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers this spring.... I seem to be the only one in my birding circles not to have seen an Acadian.... No worry, I knew exactly where I would find one... They have bred at Stoney Creek on the trails at West Branch picnic area for the last few years.... I always find them there in June.... I am working on a Macomb County list this year, so West Branch is out because it falls on the Oakland County side of the park.... The Habitat Trail behind the Nature Ctr at Stoney has some habitat that looks perfect for Acadian Flycatchers (210)... So I had planned to walk the 2.4 mile trail this month and hopefully find one..... As I was walking thru an area of mature woods with a little bit of a boggy area, I was hoping to hear one calling... It was quiet and the canopy was so thick that it looked like sunset at 6pm.... As the trail was about to lead me out of the woods, I hear the familiar Pit-see!!! It took a couple of minutes to locate the bird, but I found the Acadian Flycatcher sitting on a branch.... he was there long enough for me to snap a quick photo and then he was gone.... very cool...... I also found a Yellow-throated Vireo behind the nature center along the trail that connects the beginning and the end of the habitat trail.... It was a nice walk with multiple Red-eyed Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Warbling Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Indigo Buntings and several Eastern Bluebirds.... Great-crested Flycatchers and Eastern Wood Pewees were calling overhead.... on the way out of the park, I came across a flock of Wild Turkeys at their usual spot near the park headquarters.....

I also got a chance to meet Dr. Bob and his wife tonight at the Osprey Trail.... They were there in the parking lot with Kevin Rysiewski.... I stopped and chatted for a minute.... Its so nice to put a face with a name..... click on photos to enlarge

Acadian Flycatcher

Yellow-throated Vireo

Eastern Bluebird

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds - first of the year in my yard

2012-06-04T20:02:00.001-04:00

My wife came home with a new Hummingbird feeder last week..... its the deluxe glass model with ant trap.... I was surprised because she can be.... lets just say frugal.... She loves hummingbirds and we have never really had them in our yard.... we back up to fields and up until this year, the trees were not very high.... I came home from work, looked out into the yard and there was a Male Ruby in the feeder.... Of course my camera was in the car... I ran and got it, but he was gone.... 5 minutes later a female shows up.... she came about 3 more times in about 30 minutes.... I had to leave and take my son to the library... when we came home, the sun was setting... the back of my house faces west, so we are blinded every night... Not the best lighting condition for shooting at the feeder, but I wanted to document the first day of Hummers... So I got some shots, not the best.... but hey, if they stick around like I think they will, I plan on getting some great shots.... in the morning light.... click to enlarge..

A few recent photos that my friend sent me!! check em out!!

2012-06-03T10:37:00.002-04:00

Tom Heatley sent me 3 photos that he took recently.... One of the Peregrine Falcon in Port Huron I believe, one of the Wilson's Phalarope that was on the beach at Lake St. Clair Metropark this week and then the last one of the White-rumped Sandpiper..... Very nice photos.... I thought they deserved there own page!!

Wilson's Phalarope

Peregrine Falcon

White-rumped Sandpiper