Birdwatching in southern Ontario and Michigan

This particular trip was our fifth to North America (excluding New York city) and our second to Ontario. So we had a target list of birds we had missed on other trips, particularly eastern birds. In the following text, an asterisk denotes a lifer.

Saturday 12th May

We flew into Toronto by British Airways and picked up our car from Discount Car Rental (arranged in the UK through Suncars). We got a free upgrade to a Chevrolet Malibu, which turned out to be a nice vehicle (with electric windows all-round, as well as the usual power steering and air conditioning). It was the second time we had used this company. I have no hesitation in recommending them. We then drove down to Ridgetown, where we were to spend the next three nights at the Econolodge (which turned out to be clean and comfortable). En route we picked up Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, American Crow, Red-winged Blackbird and the ubiquitous House Sparrow.

Sunday 13th May

This was to be the first of two days at Rondeau Provincial Park, which we generally prefer to Point Pelee, both for attractiveness and lack of crowds! It was a bit quite but we had a reasonable selection of warblers, including Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, Magnolia and American Redstart. The star performers were the pair of Prothonotary Warblers on Tulip Tree Trail - the male flew right over our heads at one stage. Other good birds included Red-headed Woodpecker and 5 Scarlet Tanagers.

Full list for the day was:

Tulip Tree Trail: 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 3 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 2 House Wrens, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Veery, a few American Robins, several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 2 Black-capped Chickadees (excavating a nest hole in a tree stump a few feet from the boardwalk!), 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Blue Jays, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, a few American Goldfinches, 2+ Yellow Warblers, 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers, 3 Magnolia Warblers,2+ Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Bay-breasted Warbler, 1 American Redstart, 2 Prothonotary Warblers, 3 Eastern Towhees, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird and 1 Baltimore Oriole

Visitor Centre: 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Chipping Sparrows, several American Goldfinches and 3 Baltimore Orioles

Spicebush Trail: 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Swainson's Thrush, a few American Robins, 3 Blue-headed Vireos, 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 Red-eyed Vireos,3 Chestnut-sided Warblers, 3 Magnolia Warblers, 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 3 Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Bay-breasted Warbler, 5 Black-and-white Warblers, several Yellow Warblers, 2 American Redstarts, 1 Prothonotary Warbler singing, a few Eastern Towhees, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 5 Scarlet Tanagers, many Red-winged Blackbirds, 6+ Common Grackles and 3 Baltimore Orioles

Maintenance Area: 4 Turkey Vultures, a few Mourning Doves, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 2 Tree Swallows, 4 Barn Swallows, 1 House Wren, 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Eastern Bluebird, 1 American Robin, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, several European Starlings, 4 Yellow Warblers, 4 Chipping Sparrows, several Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird and several Common Grackles

Lake Erie: 4 Double-crested Cormorants, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Killdeers (mobbing a Turkey Vulture!)

All of the trails and areas mentioned above are shown on the map given out when you enter the Park. (which is easily found by leaving Hwy 401 at exit 109 and taking RR17 through Ridgetown).

Monday 14th May

Our second day at Rondeau. A couple of Sandhill Cranes were quite noisy, circling overhead. Warblers were generally similar to the day before. Late morning we walked from the Visitor Centre north up Harrison Trail for a mile or so. After a while I heard a bird singing now and again - 'chewy, chewy - tissue!' Hooded Warbler registered in my brain but it took a frustrating ten minutes or so before Kay, my wife, found the bird. There it was - a nice male Hooded Warbler*! A few other birders came up behind us and managed to see it. Afterwards we tried the south-eastern part of South Point Trail, which I was told was a good spot for Brown Thrasher (another bird missed on a previous trip). No luck with that bird but good numbers of White-crowned Sparrows and Gray Catbirds. In the afternoon we took a walk from the maintenance area, one of my favourite areas at Rondeau, down Harrison Trail for a way. Here I finally managed to catch up with Indigo Bunting* at long last, having missed it when we came in 1998. On our return to the maintenance area we came upon a local birder who asked us if we were interested in White-eyed Vireo, because there was one just near us. It just needed a glance in the right direction and there it was - a handsome White-eyed Vireo*. Another was singing nearby. The general area also produced a Blue-winged Warbler later on. I had already missed Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the morning (heard but not seen) so when I found out one had been seen on Spicebush Trail earlier we headed down there. Unfortunately no Cuckoo was to be found but I did have brief views of a singing Cerulean Warbler.

Full list for the day was:

Visitor Centre: 1 Least Flycatcher, 2 Gray Catbirds and 1 Black-throated Green Warbler

Tulip Tree Trail: 2 Sandhill Cranes (overhead, calling), 1 Chimney Swift, 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 Least Flycatcher, 3 Eastern Phoebes, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 Purple Martin, 2 House Wrens, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin (common, including two nests with 3 and 2 young respectively), 1 Swainson's Thrush, several Blue Jays, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 2+ Chestnut-sided Warblers, 1 Bay-breasted Warbler, 1 American Redstart and 2 Baltimore Orioles

Harrison Trail (north of Visitor Centre): 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Gray Catbirds, American Robin (common), 2 Red-eyed Vireos, Yellow Warbler (common), 3 Magnolia Warblers, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Ovenbird, 1 Hooded Warbler and 1 Canada Warbler

South Point Trail (east): 3 Least Flycatchers, 2 Eastern Kingbirds,a few Tree Swallows, 4 Gray Catbirds, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Veery, American Robin (common), 1 Brown Creeper, 2 Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warbler (common), 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 4 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 White-throated Sparrow and 5 Baltimore Orioles

Maintenance Area (two separate visits): 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Willow Flycatcher, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 3 House Wrens, 2 Gray Catbirds, several European Starlings, 2 White-eyed Vireos (1 seen, another heard), 2 Warbling Vireos, 1 Blue-winged Warbler, 1 Nashville Warbler, 3 Chestnut-sided Warblers, 6 Magnolia Warblers, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 2 American Redstarts, 4 Scarlet Tanagers, 2 Field Sparrows, 2 Song Sparrows, 1 Northern Cardinal and Indigo Buntings

Spicebush Trail: 1 Veery, 1 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler (common), 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Cerulean Warbler, 1 American Redstart and 1 Northern Cardinal

Tuesday 15th May

The day started miserably, with steady rain. We checked out of our motel and went back to Rondeau for a last look round before heading down towards Pelee. When the rain eased I walked part of the way down Marsh Trail, which I was told was a sure bet for Brown Thrasher. Not surprisingly, there was no trace of any Brown Thrashers but I did manage to see the only Winter Wren of the trip and the first Tennessee Warbler of the trip. On returning to the maintenance area, we saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Birds at Rondeau were:

South Point Trail (west): 2 Gray Catbirds, 1 Swainson's Thrush and 1 Wood Thrush

Marsh Trail: 4 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 1 Turkey Vulture, 2 Killdeer, 4 Dunlins, a few Mourning Doves, 1 Chimney Swift, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Least Flycatcher, 6 Eastern Kingbirds, Tree Swallow (common), Barn Swallow (common), 1 House Wren, 1 Winter Wren, 6 Gray Catbirds, American Robin (common), 2 Black-capped Chickadees (at a nest hole in a tree stump by the trail), 1 Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler (common), 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Tennessee Warbler, 4 Bay-breasted Warblers, 3 Song Sparrows, 1 Northern Cardinal and 5 Baltimore Orioles

Maintenance Area: 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 House Wrens, 3 Gray Catbirds and 2 Indigo Buntings

On the way to our motel at Leamington we stopped off at a cool, windy, Wheatley Provincial Park, where we found 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 2 Purple Martins, several Tree Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 1 Warbling Vireo and 3 Baltimore Orioles. Another stop, at Kopegaron Woods, produced virtually no birds! Along Regional Road 20, near Leamington, we had our first Great Blue Heron and American Kestrel of the trip.

On checking in at the Days-Inn Leamington, we met up with my cyber friend Gavin Edmondstone and his wife, Sue. Gavin had given me information before our first visit in 1998 and we had kept in touch. It was our first meeting!

Wednesday 16th May

Gavin and I were up and out by 6.30 a.m. to go to Point Pelee (south-east of Leamington on RR33). The weather wasn't too promising - rain and drizzle. On arriving at the Visitor Centre parking lot, we headed for the tip. It was fairly quiet in bird terms but at least the rain eased off.

Birds seen were: 1 Common Loon, 40+ Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Great Blue Herons, 1 Great Egret, 3 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, a few Eastern Wood-Pewees, 2+ Least Flycatchers, 6+ Eastern Kingbirds, 1 Purple Martin, Tree Swallow (common), Barn Swallow (common), 9+ Cedar Waxwings, 4 Gray Catbirds, American Robin (common), a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 2 House Wrens, 2+ Blue Jays, Warbling Vireo (common), a few Red-eyed Vireos, 1 Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler (common), several Chestnut-sided Warblers, a few Magnolia Warblers, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 1 American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole (common) and 5+ Orchard Orioles

On Tilden's Woods Trail, we had good views of an adult Great Horned Owl and chick. Nearby was my second White-eyed Vireo of the trip. On walking the northern section of the trail we found a Yellow-throated Vireo* by the old stretch of road - a really handsome bird, I think. At least one Yellow-breasted Chat was singing. Orioles (both Baltimore and Orchard) were plentiful.

Full list here was: 2 Great Horned Owls, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Downy Woodpecker, a few Least Flycatchers, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, a few Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Carolina Wrens, a few Gray Catbirds, 1 Veery, 1 Wood Thrush, 1 White-eyed Vireo, 1 Yellow-throated Vireo, a few Red-eyed Vireos, Yellow Warbler (common), a few Black-throated Green and Chestnut-sided Warblers, 1 Blackburnian Warbler, 3 Blackpoll Warblers, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 2 Ovenbirds, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 singing Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 Northern Cardinal, 5 Indigo Buntings, several Baltimore Orioles and 5+ Orchard Orioles

Late morning we picked up Kay and Sue and returned to the park. On hearing of an Eastern Screech-Owl roost and getting detailed directions, we went back to the tip and hiked one of the trails. After some initial hesitation about being in the right spot, we found the relevant crack in a dead tree, where an Eastern Screech-Owl* sat obligingly (even opening one eye for us!). On the way back I found another Yellow-throated Vireo. Also seen were 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 1 Least Flycatcher, 4 Eastern Kingbirds, 8+ Cedar Waxwings, 2 Gray Catbirds and 2 Orchard Orioles.

Another, brief walk along Tilden's Woods Trail produced just 1 Veery, several Warbling Vireos and 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak. To round off the day we walked a loop along the De Laurier Trail, where we found Tree Swallow (common), several Barn Swallows, 2 House Wrens, a few Gray Catbirds, 1 House Finch, 2+ Yellow-breasted Chats, 2 Eastern Towhees and 1 Swamp Sparrow.

Not a bad day but little did we realise what the next day would bring!

Thursday 17th May

Gavin and I had arranged for a 6.30 start again. As we left the motel building it was foggy. An Ovenbird was singing close by, prompting Gavin to say "That's a good sign!" We heard lots of bird songs and calls as we drove into the park. The wind seemed to have changed to the south overnight, so who knows what we might find? When we got to the tip it was amazing. Birds were everywhere. I estimated that in the course of the morning we saw at least 100 Red-eyed Vireos - others estimated at least 500. Philadelphia and Warbling Vireos and Cedar Waxwings were also in good numbers. We also saw another Yellow-throated Vireo. Warblers were abundant so I had high hopes of catching up with two warblers on my wanted list, Cape May and Mourning. Imagine the tension when we came across Jon Dunn and a group he was leading, by the tram stop. Jon said they had just seen a female Cape May so we spent the next 5-10 minutes scanning the trees for a sign of it among all of the other birds around. I struck lucky though, so Cape May Warbler* was under the belt! On the way to the tip we managed to see a nice male Mourning Warbler* so things were going well. Close to the tip, someone said a Connecticut Warbler had been seen earlier. A little while later, on our way up the eastern side of the tip, Gavin called out "Connecticut Warbler". We managed to locate it briefly before it disappeared into cover. We went onto the beach and, along with a gathering crowd of birders, managed to get good views of the bird, a female Connecticut Warbler* One of the highlights of the trip! We also had brief views of a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at the Sparrow Field.

In our morning session in the tip area we had 63 species in all, including the following warblers (24 species in all): 1 Northern Waterthrush, 8 Canada, 1 Palm (western race), 2 Cape May, 7 Bay-breasted, 15 Magnolia, lots of Yellow, 14 Black-throated Green, 11 Tennessee, 11 Blackpoll, 4 Yellow-rumped, 8 Blackburnian, 1 Orange-crowned, 4 Black-throated Blue, 15 Chestnut-sided, 6 American Redstarts, 2 Blue-winged, 6 Common Yellowthroats, 3 Black-and-White, 1 Nashville, 1 Mourning, 1 Connecticut, 1 Ovenbird and 9 Wilson's.

Full list (other than warblers) was: 1 Green Heron, 2 Wood Ducks overflying, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Black-billed Cuckoo calling, 1 Eastern Screech-Owl (in the same tree as on the previous day), 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 Alder Flycatcher, 7 Least Flycatchers, 2 Great Crested Flycatchers, 5 Eastern Kingbirds, Barn Swallow (common), 7 Cedar Waxwings, 3+ House Wrens, 7 Gray Catbirds, 1 Veery, 5 Swainson's Thrushes, American Robin (common), 1 Yellow-throated Vireo, 6 Warbling Vireos, 4 Philadelphia Vireos, 100+ Red-eyed Vireos, a few American Goldfinches, 4 Scarlet Tanagers, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 1 Savannah Sparrow, 3 Lincoln's Sparrows, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird (common), Common Grackle (common), 2 Bobolinks, 10 Baltimore Orioles and 1 Orchard Oriole

Prothonotary, Hooded, Kentucky and Worm-eating Warblers were also reported but we missed out on them. You can't have everything! The locals and regulars considered it to be the best fall for 10 years.

Late morning we collected Kay and Sue and went back to the Park. By this time there were lots more birders but the birds were still plentiful and better to see because the fog had largely lifted and the sun was beginning to emerge.

After lunch we walked part of Tilden's Woods Trail, where we found 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 Carolina Wren, 3 Gray Catbirds, 1 Veery, 3 Tennessee Warblers, Yellow Warbler (common), 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 American Redstart, 5 Ovenbirds, 2 Eastern Towhees, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak and 1 Indigo Bunting

Additional good birds in the tip area in the afternoon were single Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers, 5 Blue-headed Vireos, more Cape May (including two males) and Mourning Warblers and 4 Lincoln's Sparrows. A Northern Parula brought our warbler tally for the day to 25 species. On the way back to the tram we came across some birders who pointed out a Common Nighthawk* roosting on a branch!

To round off the day we made a late evening visit to the Park. Along the Marsh Boardwalk, we had 1 Green Heron flying in, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mallards, 1 Black Tern, 1 Bank Swallow and lots of Barn Swallows, Common Yellowthroats and Swamp Sparrows. At the De Laurier parking lot we saw another Common Nighthawk on a branch and later flying (with another bird) and heard American Woodcocks displaying (and saw one making a brief flypast). A pretty good day in all!

Friday 18th

We said goodbye to Gavin and Sue and checked out of our hotel (OK but not the best Days Inn at which we have stayed), heading off to Hillman Marsh (east of Leamington). Apart from the usual Canada Geese, Mallards, Tree Swallows, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats and Song Sparrows, there were 2 Blue-winged Teals, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 1 Greater Yellowlegs and 3 Least Sandpipers.

Then we set of for the border crossing at Windsor and then Michigan. The first part of our trip had produced 126 species. We spent the night at the Best Western Motel at Bay City, Michigan.

Saturday 19th May

After checking out of our motel we headed for Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, on Saginaw Bay, a site recommended to me on the internet by local birders. The weather had changed and was gloriously hot and sunny - a good omen. Take MI 13 north from Bay City and turn right (east) 3.8 miles after Linwood Corners, down Kitchen Road (there is a sign for the area). Head down across Tower Beach Road on to a gravel road and follow this road to the observation tower and a large lagoon. The November 2000 issue of the ABAs 'Winging It' has a good article by Jerry Ziarno on sites on Saginaw Bay. See also http://www.saginawbaybirding.org/ (which contains details, including maps and directions, on birding locations in the Saginaw Bay area).

Nayanquing turned out too be a good spot, with a good variety of water birds and shorebirds seen from the observation tower. I thought I saw a Brown Thrasher in flight but couldn't get onto it. Since I was particularly keen on finding Sedge Wrens, we walked the trail down to Cattail Pond. We had at least three Willow Flycatchers and at least 2-3 Sedge Wrens singing but were having difficulty pinning down the latter. After a scan of Cattail Pond, where we found a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds and, nearby, singing Marsh Wrens, we headed back. Along the trail we finally managed to locate a singing Sedge Wren* - a bird on a low stem that we managed to scope and keep in view for several minutes. On the trail we came across a local birder, with his young son. As we chatted, he mentioned that he'd had no luck finding a Glossy Ibis and Hudsonian Godwit that had been seen earlier in the week.

We decided to try our luck down the end of Erickson Road, by the Bay. As we sat in the car, eating our lunch, Kay said to me "What's that big bird sitting over there?" I wheeled round and saw a Brown Thrasher* sitting on a low branch only a few feet away! Another bogey bird out of the way! Shortly afterwards, the birder we had met earlier drew up, came over and said he'd just seen the Godwit from the observation tower. We thanked him, hastily interrupted our lunch and drove the few miles back to the observation tower. I climbed the tower again but initially had no luck with locating the bird - just a Lesser Yellowlegs. After a nervous couple of minutes, it emerged again and gave great views through the scope - a really handsome Hudsonian Godwit* It was a totally unexpected bonus bird for the trip. While we were there we managed to show the bird to another Michigan birder who turned up. The bird then managed to disappear again.

Full list at Nayanquing Point was: 2 Great Blue Herons, 9 Great Egrets, 2 Mute Swans, 6+ Canada Geese , 1 Green-winged Teal, 30+ Mallards, 6 Blue-winged Teals, 1 Lesser Scaup, 3 Ring-necked Pheasants, 1 Sandhill Crane, 2 Soras calling, 2 Killdeer, 15+ Black-bellied Plovers, 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 20+ Dunlins, Ring-billed Gull (common), a few Herring Gulls, 10+ Black Terns (over Cattail Pond), 3 Willow Flycatchers, 2 Eastern Kingbirds, Tree Swallow (common), 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, 5+ Sedge Wrens, 2+ Marsh Wrens, 2 Gray Catbirds, 3 Brown Thrashers, a few American Crows, 3 Warbling Vireos, a few American Goldfinches, Yellow Warbler (common), 2 Chipping Sparrows, 1 Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow (common), Swamp Sparrow (common), Red-winged Blackbird (common), 7+ Yellow-headed Blackbirds, several Common Grackles and a few Brown-headed Cowbirds

After that we headed north for Tawas City, our destination for the night. En route we had a quick stop down Gypsum Road, south of Alabaster, in the optimistic hope that we might find a Henslow's Sparrow. Not surprisingly, we had no luck but did find a number of singing Clay-colored Sparrows and Bobolinks. We also saw our only Cliff Swallow of the trip. Some local birders who were there said that Henslow's Sparrow hadn't been reported for a couple of years. When we got to Tawas we checked in at the Days Inn (excellent motel) and then spent the late afternoon at Tawas Point State Park. We had no luck with finding Piping Plovers but had a good variety of birds, including a male Common Merganser, Caspian Terns, no less than three Brown Thrashers and a small variety of the commoner warblers. We also had the strange sight of Bobolinks feeding in pine trees.

Full list here was: 2 Canada Geese, 1 Common Merganser, 10 Semipalmated Plovers, 3 Killdeer, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, Ring-billed Gull (common), 8+ Bonaparte's Gulls, 14 Caspian Terns, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 6 Eastern Kingbirds, 9 Cedar Waxwings, 4 Gray Catbirds, 3 Brown Thrashers, a few American Robins, 1 Warbling Vireo, several Yellow Warblers, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 1 Scarlet Tanager, a few Song Sparrows, 1 White-crowned Sparrow, 10+ Bobolinks and 5 Baltimore Orioles

In the evening we had our meal outside by the lake, where we were entertained by 8 Purple Martins on the wires.

Sunday 20th May

We headed along the Bay then turned west, inland, along the Au Sable River Scenic Byway. At a scenic lookout we had a variety of common birds, namely 1 Warbling Vireo, a few Red-eyed Vireos and Yellow Warblers, 2 American Redstarts, 2 Ovenbirds and 2 Chipping Sparrows.

We stopped at the Lumberman's Monument and Iargo Springs. We didn't see anything special but did manage to see our first Pine Warbler (and 30th warbler species of the trip) at the former. I had hoped for Louisiana Waterthrush at Iargo Springs, where they have bred, but had no luck, probably not helped by the fact it was a Sunday and consequently there was much disturbance. We did get good views of a hovering Belted Kingfisher. We checked in at the Days Inn, Grayling (another excellent motel) for two nights.

Monday 21st May

A big day, chosen for the Kirtland's Warbler Tour! Just before 7.00 a.m. we drove next door to the Holiday Inn, from where the tour departed. After a short slide show, our convoy set off on a fifteen-minute journey for an area of young Jack Pines east of Grayling (off F32). Our guide had a few good spots up his sleeve but it took us a while to find a reasonably close singing male. He was obscured in bushes and there was a free for all to get a view - during which time Kay was jostled out of the way by some members of a tour group (who, I'm sorry to say, came from the same country as us). Ultimately, within an hour, we had good views of 3 male Kirtland's Warblers* perched high on snags. They weren't that close but we got good views through the scope. One bird parachuted downwards, showing off its tail markings clearly. Other notable birds in the area were Northern Harrier, more Brown Thrashers and Field Sparrow.

Full list here was: 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Northern Harrier, 2 Northern Flickers, 2 Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Brown Thrashers, 2 Hermit Thrushes singing, 1 Blue Jay, several Nashville Warblers, 6+ Kirtland's Warblers, 2 Chipping Sparrows and 2 Field Sparrows

On the way back to Grayling we saw a female Wild Turkey* along the road. After a brief stop at our motel, we went to Wakeley Lake, just east of Grayling on M72. Birds were not numerous but we did see 1 Common Loon, 4 Canada Geese with 9 young, 2 Mallards, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Tufted Titmouse*, 1 Blue Jay, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 2+ Pine Warblers, 3+ Ovenbirds and 2+ Song Sparrows. The Tufted Titmouse, along the entrance track on our way out, in mixed woodland, were a surprise for me since I hadn't expected to see them so far north.

Unfortunately the rain started to fall so we headed west to try to escape it. We called in at Hartwick Pines State Park, just north-east of Grayling. Pileated Woodpeckers had made holes in several trees here but there was no sign of the birds. The rain resumed so we called it a day and went back to our motel. It rained incessantly (monsoon level) for the rest of the day and well into the night.

Late afternoon there was a tornado alert 50 miles to the south so we spent a nervous half hour or so waiting for the alert to end! We ate dinner both nights at the restaurant in the Holiday Inn Express adjacent to our motel. The food was very good.

Tuesday 22nd May

We left Grayling after breakfast and headed west in the direction of Traverse City. Our plan was to spend the day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan (just over 20 miles west of Traverse City, accessed by M72). Late morning we called in at the Visitor Centre, where I asked one of the rangers if it was possible to see Piping Plovers. To my surprise he said "Yes" and gave us directions to Platte River Point, to the south-west, where three pairs were breeding. On the way we saw another Wild Turkey along the road. At Platte River Point I scanned the shingle spot through the binoculars, without luck. There are a few wire enclosures that have been put up to protect the nesting birds so I tried scanning them through the scope. Luck was in - I found two sitting Piping Plovers*, presumably incubating. After a while we saw a bird in flight a couple of times. I was pleased, because there are so few breeding birds in the Great Lakes area.

Later we did a short walk down Otter Creek, where there was fair selection of common species, namely 3 Mute Swans, 2 Turkey Vultures, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Gray Catbird, 3 American Robins, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, a few Red-eyed Vireos, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 4 American Redstarts and 2 Indigo Buntings (how did I miss them in 1998?). We also saw 1 Northern Water Snake basking on a culvert.

To finish off we did the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - highly recommended. We spent the night at the Quality Inn, Traverse City (comfortable and good value).

Wednesday 23rd May

This was a big travel day. We drove north along the east shore of Lake Michigan, then followed US31 and I75 up to the Mackinaw Bridge and over into the Upper Peninsula. One bird of note along the route was an Eastern Bluebird near Leavering. We stopped for lunch at Cut River Bridge State Roadside Park, on US2, a couple of miles east of Epoufette. The birding here was good since there are stairs that descend down to the river mouth, giving eye level views of birds. We had great views of 3 Red-eyed Vireos, 2 Northern Parulas, 1 Yellow Warbler, 5+ Black-throated Green Warbler, 2 Blackburnian Warblers, 1 Pine Warbler, 1 Blackpoll Warbler and 2+ American Redstarts. Later we saw a Brewer's Blackbird near the junction of US2 and M117

Late afternoon we checked in at the Comfort Inn, Newberry, for four nights. A source of amusement here was the garbage skip at the adjacent Pizza Hut. The top was left open so it was interesting watching the interactions between Herring Gulls, American Crows and Common Ravens!

Thursday 24th May

The main objective of the day was a visit to Seney National Wildlife Refuge (accessed from M77, south of Seney). We started by doing the auto tour, which produced small numbers of birds but not the hoped for Hooded Mergansers. A refuge worker whom we came across at one stop told me they were fairly common. He also gave me a location for Yellow Rail and Le Conte's Sparrow. The Trumpeter Swans were good to see but it was frustrating not to be able to count them (but see footnote # below!) The other highlights were an adult Bald Eagle in flight, nesting Ospreys and Sandhill Cranes. We also saw a pair of Common Terns, which are not 'common' in the area.

The full list on the tour was: 2 Common Loons, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, Trumpeter Swan (common), 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Mallards, 8 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Ospreys, 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Sandhill Cranes, 2 Caspian Terns, 2 Common Terns, 1 Northern Flicker, a few Common Ravens and 1Yellow-rumped Warbler

We walked the nature trail and found a good number of common species, as well as hordes of mosquitoes and dragonflies! Here there were 4 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 Osprey, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Least Flycatcher, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 American Robin, 3+ Warbling Vireos, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, several Yellow Warblers, 1 Pine Warbler, a few Brown-headed Cowbirds and 1 Baltimore Oriole.

In mid-afternoon, we drove out of the refuge, turned left at Seney onto M23 and after some seven miles turned south onto a gravel track called Diggs River Road. On the way down the latter we had our first Broad-winged Hawk of the trip. It's possible to park at the northern end of the C3 pool, which I was told was a location for Yellow Rails. Not expecting the latter but still hoping for Hooded Merganser, I walked part of the way down the track skirting the pool. There were some spots that looked good for rails but the mosquitoes were so bad that I beat a retreat (no Mergansers either). Birds found here were 1 Common Loon, 2 Least Flycatchers, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 2 Eastern Kingbirds and 1 Ovenbird.

We drove back a short distance and stopped off by the Diversion Ditch, that lies within the Refuge and runs east-west. I left Kay in the car and hiked a mile or so to the east, along the southern bank of the ditch - luckily the bugs were relatively quiet. I had good views of a displaying Upland Sandpiper and a couple of Savannah Sparrows, as well as a couple of Eastern Kingbirds and some American Robins. At one point, the path dropped below the bank and began to be less distinct. As I walked this stretch I flushed a sparrow at close range a few times, which gave me enough opportunity to see its diagnostic features. It was a Le Conte's Sparrow*, in the spot that I had been told about earlier in the day. The only thing that detracted from the pleasure of seeing this bird was the fact that the bugs returned in abundance for the hike back.

In the evening, Herring Gulls, American Crows and Common Ravens provided further entertainment at the Comfort Inn.

Friday 25th May

The day started wet at Newberry and got quite foggy as we went along M123 through Paradise and up to Whitefish Point. At one point we saw two Sandhill Cranes walking across the road in the mist! At the Point, we decided to walk round the Bird Observatory area, with good results. Birds included Sharp-shinned Hawk, Whimbrel, Alder Flycatcher, Philadephia Vireo and 12 species of warbler, the best of which was a male Golden-winged Warbler that I had heard singing and located at the same time as a local birder. This is a good bird for the area so we were soon surrounded by a growing group of local and visiting birders! It was also a milestone for us, being our 32nd warbler species of the trip. In all, we had the following species in the Observatory area: 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 100+ Whimbrels in a flock heading north-west, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Alder Flycatcher, 1 Least Flycatcher, several Tree Swallows, 10+ Black-capped Chickadees, 50+ Blue Jays, a few Common Ravens, 1 Philadelphia Vireo, 3 Red-eyed Vireos, 3 Pine Siskins on feeders, 1 Golden-winged Warbler, 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 Yellow Warbler, 3 Chestnut-sided Warblers, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Blackburnian Warbler, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 2 American Redstarts, a few Common Yellowthroats, 2 Wilson's Warblers, 1 Scarlet Tanager, 14 Evening Grosbeaks and 1 Baltimore Oriole.

We went to Whitefish Harbour, just south of the Point, to look for a Common Eider that had been seen earlier. Unfortunately it had disappeared behind a breakwater so we missed it. We did see another Bald Eagle, though, and a Spotted Sandpiper. We spent the afternoon at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Birds weren't that many though we heard a Ruffed Grouse 'bouncing' and a Northern Parula singing. The falls were worth seeing.

Full bird list here was: 1 Ruffed Grouse near parking lot, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a few American Robins, 1 Warbling Vireo, 5+ Red-eyed Vireos, 1 Purple Finch, 1 Northern Parula, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers and a few Magnolia Warblers.

Saturday 26th May

Our first port of call was Hulbert Bog, down Basnau road off M28. There was little there, apart from a Sandhill Crane on the road, a few Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Parulas singing. We then went down towards Trout Lake and took FR3344 to the west, in search of breeding Connecticut Warblers. It was fairly quiet apart from a Sandhill Crane calling, there were 2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Pine Warbler and 1 Chipping Sparrow. There were lots of bugs! To find this spot, head south from the junction of M28 and M123 and look for the turning on the right (marked '3344').

We went up to Whitefish Point again. It was much quieter today. The best birds were an adult Bald Eagle and a Parasitic Jaeger that flew over the Observatory. The latter caused much excitement among the birders in the area, since it was a lifer for many of them. This bird is a regular passage migrant at home but not one that I expected to get on my Michigan list! We also saw 1 Common Loon flying over the point, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, 30+ Blue Jays, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 2+ American Redstarts and 3 Pine Siskins on the feeders again.

I gave some thought to hiking a trail near Tahquamenon Falls State Park that was reputedly good for Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee and breeding Rusty Blackbird. It would have meant a minimum roundtrip of two miles through bug-infested woods so recent experience and common sense prevailed! Since we were to leave the area the next day we decided to visit Seney NWR again, in the hope we'd finally locate a Hooded Merganser. On the way down M123 from Whitefish we saw a Spruce Grouse on the road - it forced an oncoming car to slow right down!

At Seney things started well; we saw a Ruffed Grouse along the entrance road as we drove in. We did the auto tour and managed to find at least two singing Sedge Wrens. Other birds were: 2 Common Loons, many Trumpeter Swans, 12+ Canada Geese, 3 Mallards, 9 Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Ospreys, 3 Sandhill Cranes, 1 Caspian Tern, 1 Common Tern, 1 Northern Flicker, 4 Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Gray Catbirds, 2 Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Warbling Vireo, 4+ American Goldfinches and 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers. Still no Hooded Mergansers, though!

Sunday 27th May

We checked out of our motel and headed east along M28 towards Sault Ste Marie. When we reached M129, we took a detour south, to look over Shuck Road between 10 Mile and 12 Mile Roads, which I had been told were potentially good for Sharp-tailed Grouse. We had no luck with the Grouse but did see our only Eastern Meadowlarks of the trip, as well as a few Eastern Kingbirds and Bobolinks.

After a visit to the Soo Locks, we headed south again in mid-afternoon to Munuscong Wildlife Management Area, at the junction of 22 Mile Road and Gray Road. It was an excellent spot; birds here included 4 American Bitterns, Northern Harrier, Upland Sandpiper and at least 4 singing Le Conte's Sparrows (none gave themselves up to view, though). Other birds here were: 20+ Canada Geese, 1 Blue-winged Teal, 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 American Kestrel, 1 Sora calling, 1 Killdeer and many Red-winged Blackbirds. This spot merits a longer visit than we were able to make. We spent the night at the Days Inn, Sault Ste Marie.

Monday 28th May

As we left our motel in the morning we heard Alder Flycatchers, Chestnut-sided Warblers and Common Yellowthroats singing near the parking lot. Our next objective was to cross back into Canada; this went quite smoothly. To the east of Soo, we stopped off near Desbarats, on Hwy 17. Here we saw more Sandhill Cranes, near Lake Huron, and a Pileated Woodpecker flying over us. Hwy 17 is a busy road so we decided we'd get off it and find somewhere nice to have our lunch. We looked at the map and picked Mississagi Provincial Park, on a loop north from Iron Bridge. It was certainly a scenic route. Birds were few but we had 4 Broad-winged Hawks. At the Park, we headed down to Semiwhite Lake, where we parked. I got out of the car and had a quick scan. What did I see? No less than a pair of Hooded Mergansers*! Fate must have driven us there! Also there were: 2 Common Loons, a few Red-eyed Vireos and Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Ovenbird calling and 2 White-throated Sparrows singing.

Our long day's travelling ended on Manitoulin Island, where we checked into Red Lodge Resort, near Sheguiandah, for two nights. Red-eyed Vireos and Yellow-rumped Warblers, singing around our cabin, greeted us.

Tuesday 29th May

We went for a tour of Manitoulin Island. We did not see many birds - mainly common species, though we did see two Sandhill Cranes on Barrie Island. Nor did we have any more luck with Sharp-tailed Grouse than in Michigan. The best thing was the scenery.

Full bird list on the Island was: Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged Hawk, Mallard, Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Belted Kingfisher (Bridal Veil Falls), Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle and Baltimore Oriole.

Places we visited included Bridal Veil falls (on Hwy 540), Gore Bay, Barrie Island, Providence Bay and Mindemoya.

In the evening we found a number of birds in and around Red Lodge, namely 1 Common Loon, 1 Ruffed Grouse "bouncing" at dusk, a few Red-eyed Vireos, 1+ Yellow-rumped Warbler, and 1 American Redstart.

Wednesday 30th May

We spent most of the day travelling from Manitoulin to Dwight, just west of Algonquin Provincial Park, so birding opportunities were few. We had the occasional Turkey Vulture and Broad-winged Hawk along the highway (and a Coyote crossing the highway). We stopped off for lunch and some exercise at Grundy Provincial Park, where there were some good birds here, including Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cedar Waxwing and warblers such as Chestnut-sided, Nashville and Black-throated Green, American Redstart and Ovenbird. On our arrival at Dwight we checked in at Spring Lake Resort for three nights. We met up with Gavin and Sue Edmonstone again, as arranged. The last bird of the day was another Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, on trees opposite our room.

Thursday 31st May

Target birds for Algonquin were Black-capped Woodpecker (which Gavin and Sue had seen the previous afternoon at Km 8 on Hwy 60) and Boreal Chickadee, birds that we had failed to find on our previous visit in 1998 and in Upper Michigan (and, in the Woodpecker's case, in California in 1999). So hopes were high as the four of us we set off for Arowhon Road and the walk down towards Wolf Howl Pond. No luck here, though we managed to attract a couple of Gray Jays that we fed from the hand. They were so bold that at one stage one landed on Kay's cap and another on my binoculars as I was looking at its mate! This is the first bird on my new list of birds that have landed on my binoculars - I can't see the list growing much! A lot of hiking failed to produce either target species, even at the regular spot for the Woodpecker at Km 8. The list for the day was quite good though and included our first Black Duck of the trip, Broad-winged and Red-tailed Hawks, Alder and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, both Kinglets, seven species of warbler, Evening Grosbeak and Purple Finch. Mammal sightings included three Moose and two Beavers. No Black-capped Woodpecker or Boreal Chickadee though, so we were getting apprehensive about our chances, with just one more full day in the area.

Full list for the day was: 2 Common Loons, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 adult American Black Duck & several ducklings, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Broad-winged Hawks at Km 8, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 1 Belted Kingfisher (in Wolf Howl Pond area), 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers singing (in Wolf Howl Pond area), 1 Alder Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Kingbird, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Cedar Waxwing (Oxtongue Picnic Area), 2 Hermit Thrushes, a few American Robins, a few Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Gray Jays, a few American Crows, Common Ravens and Red-eyed Vireos, 2 Purple Finches (a pair at Km 8), 2 Evening Grosbeaks, 2+ Nashville Warblers, a few Chestnut-sided Warblers, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 5+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, a few Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 1 American Redstart, a few Song, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a few Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles.

Friday 1st June

Gavin felt our best chance for the Chickadee was still Arowhon Road so we decided we'd get out earlier and give it another shot. On parking the car, we met four British birders from Derbyshire who were on their way home but making a late try for Gray Jay (unsuccessfully, we learnt later). Within a few minutes of parking the car we found at least 3-4 Boreal Chickadees in small Spruces along the trail. Amazing the difference a day can make! We then turned our attention to Black-backed Woodpecker again. A brief stop earlier at Km 8 was unsuccessful but we decided to give it another go. Again, no luck but we did the short walk to Tea Lake Dam. On our return to the car, Gavin spotted a woodpecker flying away from the pole at Km 8 towards the trees. After an anxious few minutes or so, I heard a Black-backed Woodpecker calling in the trees on the other side of the road. After a few more minutes we managed to locate it moving up tree trunks and between trees. The bird, a female, showed well for several minutes. You can imagine what elation and relief I felt!

With the pressure off we made the most of our day until the rain came in mid-afternoon, when we took shelter in the restaurant of the Visitor Centre. The day's birding had been good. Apart from the Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadees (at least 6 of which we had seen), we also had a couple of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 12 species of warbler (including Black-throated Blue and Blackburnian) and a singing White-winged Crossbill, a new bird for my ABA list. At the feeders at the Paddle Inn Restaurant at Oxtongue Lake we had close views of Hairy Woodpecker, Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak as we had our lunch. The Siskins were ironic considering the number of trips it took for me to see my first (in Utah last year)

Full list for the Park was: 1 Great Blue Heron, 100+ Canada Geese in 2 flocks overflying, 1 American Black Duck, 1 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Common Mergansers (on river along Whiskey Rapids Trail), 1 Turkey Vulture, 1 Osprey, 2 Broad-winged Hawks, 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (including 2 at feeders at the Paddle Inn at Oxtongue Lake), 1 Belted Kingfisher (on Whiskey Rapids Trail), 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers (on feeders at the Paddle Inn), 1 Black-backed Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 3+ Alder Flycatchers, 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 4 Cedar Waxwings, 3 Hermit Thrushes, American Robin (common), Black-capped Chickadee (common), 6+ Boreal Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Blue Jay, several American Crow s, a few Common Ravens, a few Red-eyed Vireos, 1 White-winged Crossbill (near the cliff on the Lookout Trail), 3 Pine Siskins (on feeders at the Paddle Inn), 1 American Goldfinch (on feeders at the Paddle Inn), 3 Evening Grosbeaks (on feeders at the Paddle Inn), 4+ Nashville Warblers, 2 Northern Parulas singing along Whiskey Rapids Trail, a few Chestnut-sided and Magnolia Warblers, 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers (on Whiskey Rapids and Two Rivers Trails), 5+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, a few Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 Blackburnian Warbler (along Whiskey Rapids Trail), 2 Black-and-white Warblers, 1 American Redstart, several Ovenbirds, a few Common Yellowthroats, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a few Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. We also saw three more Moose

Saturday 2nd June

We said our goodbyes to Gavin and Sue and left Algonquin for Toronto. A brief stop en route at Balsam Lake Provincial Park (on RR48) produced 2 Eastern Phoebes, 1 Nashville Warbler and 1 Ovenbird.

We stopped for lunch at Ken Reid Conservation Area, near Cameron (which had been good on our last visit). Here we had good views of Osprey and saw yet another Brown Thrasher, this time flying across the entrance track. A Ruffed Grouse was 'bouncing''. We also found 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Eastern Kingbird, a few Tree Swallows, 7 Cedar Waxwings, 1 House Wren, 1 Gray Catbird, several American Robins and European Starlings, 1 Yellow Warbler, 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 1 Field Sparrow, a few Song Sparrows and 1 Bobolink. The last bird of note was a Northern Harrier by Hwy 12.

We dropped our car off at the rental depot near Pearson IAP and took a cab into the city where we stayed two nights before going home.

The trip had greatly exceeded my expectations. Beforehand, I felt that, realistically, 12 new birds would be a good result. To get 22 was quite something. Of the target species, only two were missed, Sharp-tailed Grouse and Rusty Blackbird, both far from easy at this time of the year. Birds like Hudsonian Godwit were a good bonus. In all we had 183 species, 130 in Michigan (9 lifers) and 151 in Ontario (13 lifers). I would like to thank everyone who gave me information, especially for Michigan. In particular, I would like to express my public thanks to Gavin and Sue Edmondstone for their time and company at both Pelee and Algonquin. It was good to meet them.

Robert Grimmond
Kent, UK
kay_rob28@hotmail.com

# Footnote

In August 2001, the Michigan Bird Records Committee voted to accept the introduced Trumpeter Swans as established (and thus countable). Strictly speaking, sightings prior to August 18th 2001 are not countable - but that's not going to stop me counting them on my life list!

Trip List

Abbreviations

CA: Conservation Area
MI: Michigan
NP: National Park
NWR: National Wildlife Refuge
ON Ontario
PP: Provincial Park
WMA: Wildlife Management Area

Common Loon 16/5 1 Point Pelee NP, ON21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI24/5 3 Seney NWR, MI26/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI; 2 Seney NWR, MI28/5 2 Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON 29/5 1 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON; 1 Big Lake, Manitoulin Island, ON; 1 Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 2 Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 between Fenelon Falls & Toronto, ON

Pied-billed Grebe 24/5: 1 Seney NWR, MI

Double-crested Cormorant 13/5 4 Lake Erie, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 40+ Point Pelee NP, ON23/5 2 East Traverse Bay, MI25/5 5+ Whitefish Harbour, MI29/5 7 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Great Blue Heron 15/5 1 Regional Road 20, near Leamington, ON16/5 2 Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 1 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI21/5 1 off F32, Crawford County, MI24/5 2 Seney NWR, MI31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Great Egret 16/5 1 Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 9 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Green Heron 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON; 1 Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON

American Bittern 27/5 4 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Mute Swan 19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI22/5 3 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI

Trumpeter Swan 24/5 10+ Seney NWR, MI26/5 common Seney NWR, MI

Canada Goose 12/5 few Highway 401 from Toronto to Ridgetown, ON15/5 4 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 2 Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 38+ Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 6+ Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; 2 Tawas Bay SP, MI21/5 13 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI26/5 12+ Seney NWR, MI27/5 20+ Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI1/6 100+ Algonquin PP, ON

Wood Duck 17/5 2 Point Pelee NP, ON

Green-winged Teal 19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Mallard 15/5 2 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 2 Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 2 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 30+ Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI20/5 few Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI21/5 2 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI24/5 2 Seney NWR, MI26/5 3 Seney NWR, MI29/5 2 Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

American Black Duck 31/5 6+ along Opeongo Road, Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Blue-winged Teal 18/5 2 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 6 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Ring-necked Duck 24/5 12 Seney NWR, MI26/5 9 Seney NWR, MI1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Lesser Scaup 19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Hooded Merganser 28/5 2 Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON

Red-breasted Merganser 13/5 4 Lake Erie, Rondeau PP, ON22/5 2 offshore near Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI26/5 2 Seney NWR, MI

Common Merganser 19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI20/5 1 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI31/5 1 overflying at Km 8, Algonquin PP, ON1/6 2 on river along Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Turkey Vulture 12/5 common in singles or small groups, along Highway 401 from Toronto to Ridgetown, ON13/5 4 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 1 Saginaw Bay area, MI22/5 2 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI28/5 2 Hwy 546, north of Iron Bridge, ON29/5 1 Hwy 540, Manitoulin Island, ON; 1 SE of Green Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 3 Hwy 6, Manitoulin Island, ON; 3 Hwy 6, north of Whitefish Falls, ON; 3 Hwy 69, south of Grundy PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Osprey 24/5 3 Seney NWR, MI26/5 2 Seney NWR, MI1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Bald Eagle 24/5 1 Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Harbour, MI26/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Northern Harrier 21/5 1 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI2/6 1 Hwy 12 between Fenelon Falls & Toronto, ON

Sharp-shinned Hawk 25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Broad-winged Hawk 24/5 1 Diggs River Road, Seney NWR, MI26/5 2 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI28/5 4 Hwy 546, north of Iron Bridge, ON29/5 1 Hwy 542 east of MIndemoya, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 1 Sheguiandah, Manitoulin Island, ON; 1 Hwy 69, south of Grundy PP, ON31/5 3 at Km 8, Algonquin PP, ON1/6 2 Algonquin PP, ON

Red-tailed Hawk 12/5 1 Highway 401 betweenToronto & Ridgetown, ON23/5 1 M117, MI31/5 1 Visitor Centre, Algonquin PP, ON

American Kestrel 15/5 1 Regional Road 20, near Leamington, ON24/5 1 along M28 between Seney and Newberry, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Wild Turkey 21/5 1 off F32, Crawford County, MI22/5 1 along M22, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI

Spruce Grouse 26/5 1 along M123, east of Water Tank lakes, MI

Ruffed Grouse 25/5 1 Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI26/5 1 Seney NWR, MI29/5 1 Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Ring-necked Pheasant 19/5 3 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Sandhill Crane 14/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI24/5 2 Seney NWR, MI25/5 2 along M123 near Whitefish Point, MI26/5 1 Hulbert Bog, Basnau Road, MI; 1 by FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI; 3 Seney NWR, MI28/5 1 Desbarats (east of Sault Ste Marie), Hwy 17, ON29/5 2 Barrie Island, Manitoulin Island, ON

Sora 19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Black-bellied Plover 16/5 3 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 15+ Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Semipalmated Plover 18/5 1 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 10 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI29/5 1 Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Killdeer 13/5 2 Lake Erie, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Lakeshore Road, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 2 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; 3 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI26/5 1 Tahquamenon River Mouth, Lake Huron, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI29/5 1 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Piping Plover 22/5 2 Platte River Pt. Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat. Lakeshore, MI

American Woodcock 17/5 2+ De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON

Common Snipe 27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Hudsonian Godwit 19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Whimbrel 25/5 100+ past Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Upland Sandpiper 24/5 1 Diversion Ditch, Seney NWR, MI27/5 1 Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Greater Yellowlegs 18/5 1 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON

Lesser Yellowlegs 19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Spotted Sandpiper 19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; 2 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Harbour, MI29/5 2 Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario ON

Ruddy Turnstone 16/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Least Sandpiper 18/5 3 Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON

Dunlin 15/5 4 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 20+ Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Parasitic Jaeger 26/5 1 over Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Ring-billed Gull 19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; & Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI22/5 common Platte River Pt. Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat. Lakeshore, MI29/5 several Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON; 20+ Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Herring Gull 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 few Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI24/5 2 Comfort Inn, Newberry, MI29/5 1 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Bonaparte's Gull 19/5 8+ Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI

Caspian Tern 19/5 14 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI24/5 2 Seney NWR, MI26/5 1 Seney NWR, MI29/5 9/Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON

Common Tern 24/5 2 Seney NWR, MI26/5 1 Seney NWR, MI

Black Tern 17/5 1 Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 10+ Cattail Pond, Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Mourning Dove 13/5 few Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 few Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 few Point Pelee NP Park road, ON19/5 few Saginaw Bay area, MI

Black-billed Cuckoo 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Eastern Screech-Owl 16/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON (same bird)

Great Horned Owl 16/5 2 (1 adult and one fledgling) Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Common Nighthawk 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON; 2 De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON

Chimney Swift 12/5 1 Highway 401 between Toronto & Ridgetown, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON22/5 1 Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 2 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON; 20/5 1 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI30/5 1 Whitefish Falls, Hwy 6, ON31/5 2 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 4 Algonquin PP, ON

Belted Kingfisher 14/5 1 overflying Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, on20/5 1 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, mi24/5 1 Nature Trail, Seney NWR, mi25/5 1 Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, mi29/5 1 Bridal Veil Falls, Hwy 540, Manitoulin Island, on31/5 1 Wolf Howl Pond area, Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, on

Red-headed Woodpecker 13/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Wheatley PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI25/5 1 Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI

Red-bellied Woodpecker 15/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI30/5 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON; 1 Spring Lake, Dwight, ON1/6 Algonquin PP, ON

Downy Woodpecker 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Visitor Centre, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail Point Pelee NP, ON

Hairy Woodpecker 13/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI20/5 1 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI1/6 2 on feeders at the Paddle Inn, Oxtongue Lake, ON

Black-backed Woodpecker 1/6 1 Km8, Hwy60, Algonquin PP, ON

Northern Flicker 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP,14/5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC) & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Wheatley PP, ON21/5 2 on Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI22/5 1 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI24/5 1 Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 1 Seney NWR, MI28/5 1 Hwy 546, north of Iron Bridge, ON29/5 1 Hwy542 east of Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, ON29/5 1 Bidwell Road, SE of Green Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Pileated Woodpecker 28-5 1 Desbarats (east of Sault Ste Marie), Hwy 17, ON

Olive-sided Flycatcher 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Eastern Wood-Pewee 13/5 3 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 several Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 few Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 1 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI1/6 1 Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 17/5 1 Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP, ON31/5 2 Algonquin PP, ON

Alder Flycatcher 17/5 1 Sparrow Field, Point Pelee NP, ON25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI28/5 2+ Days Inn, Sault Ste Marie, MI31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 3+ Algonquin PP,

Willow Flycatcher 14/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON19/5 3 along trail to Cattail Pond, Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Least Flycatcher 14/5 1 Visitor Centre, 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 3 South Point Trail (east), & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, Ontario ON16/5 3+ Tip & a few Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 12 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 2 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI22/5 1 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI24/5 4 Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI30/5 1 Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON

Eastern Phoebe 14/5 3 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC), Rondeau PP, ON25/5 1 Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI2/6 2 Balsam Lake PP, ON

Great Crested Flycatcher 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC) & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 2 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI24/5 1 Seney NWR, MI

Eastern Kingbird 13/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 South Point Trail (east) & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 6 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON; 1 Wheatley PP, ON16/5 10+ Tip & few Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 9 Tip & 4 De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI & 6 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI20/5 2 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI21/5 2 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI23/5 2 on US31, East Traverse Bay, MI24/5 4 Seney NWR, MI26/5 4 Seney NWR, MI27/5 few Shuck Road (10/12 Mile Roads), MI29/5 few Hwy 542 east of Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5/ 1 Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON; 2 between Fenelon Falls & Toronto, ON

Purple Martin 14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 2 Wheatley PP, ON16/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 8 Tawas City, MI

Tree Swallow 13/5 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 few South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON15/5 common Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON; several Wheatley PP, ON16/5 common Tip & De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 few Park road & 1 De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 common Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI25/5 several Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI2/6 few Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 15/5 several Wheatley PP, ON19/5 3 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Bank Swallow 17/5 1 Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON22/5 3 Platte River Pt. Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat. Lakeshore, MI

Cliff Swallow 19/5 1 Gypsum Road, south of Alabaster, MI

Barn Swallow 12/5 1 Highway 401 between Toronto to Ridgetown, ON13/5 4 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 common Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 common Tip & several De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 common Tip & Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 few Tawas City, MI27/5 several Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Golden-crowned Kinglet 26-5 1 along FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI31-5 2 Algonquin PP, ON

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14-5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC), Rondeau PP, ON25-5 1 Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI31-5 3 Algonquin PP, ON

Cedar Waxwing 16-5 17+ Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17-5 7 Tip & 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area, Point Pelee NP, ON19-5 9 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI30-5 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31-5 1 Oxtongue Picnic Area, Algonquin PP,ON1-6 4 Algonquin PP, ON2-6 7 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Carolina Wren 16/5 2 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Winter Wren 15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON

House Wren 13/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 3 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail & 3 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2 Tip & 2 De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 4+ Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Sedge Wren 19/5 3+ F Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI26/5 2+ Seney NWR, MI

Marsh Wren 19/5 2+ near Cattail Pond, Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Gray Catbird 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 2 Spicebush Trail & 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 Visitor Centre, 2 Harrison Trail (north of VC), 4 South Point Trail (east) & 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 2 South Point Trail (west), 6 Marsh Trail & 3 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 6 Tip, Point Pelee NP, few Tilden's Woods Trail & De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 11 Tip & 3 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; 4 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI22/5 1 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI24/5 1 Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI26/5 2 Seney NWR, MI2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Brown Thrasher 19/5 3 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; 3 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 2 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Eastern Bluebird 13/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON23/5 1 Leavering, Emmet County, MI26/5 2 Seney NWR, MI

Veery 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau Provincial Park, ON14/5 1 South Point Trail (east) & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Swainson's Thrush 13/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 South Point Trail (west), Rondeau PP, ON17/5 5 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Hermit Thrush 21/5 2 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI31/5 2 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 3 Algonquin PP, ON

Wood Thrush 15/5 1 South Point Trail (west), Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

American Robin 13/5 few Tulip Tree Trail & Spicebush Trail & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 common Tulip Tree Trail, Harrison Trail (north of VC) & South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 common Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 common Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 few Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 2 Hartwick Pines SP, near Grayling, MI22/5 3 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI24/5 1 Nature Trail & 3 Diversion Ditch, Seney NWR, MI25/5 few Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI29/5 1 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 common Algonquin PP, ON2/6 several Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 13/5 several Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON16/5 few Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Visitor Centre, Point Pelee NP, ON

Black-capped Chickadee 13/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 2 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON20/5 1 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI21/5 2 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI23/5 4+ at rest area on US31, East Traverse Bay, MI25/5 10+ Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 2+ Hulbert Bog, Basnau Road, MI26/5 2 along FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI29/5 1 Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 Algonquin PP, ON

Boreal Chickadee 1/6 6+ along Arowhon Road, Algonquin PP, ON

Tufted Titmouse 21/5 2 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1/6 1 Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, ON; 2 Spring Lake Resort, Dwight, ON

White-breasted Nuthatch 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau Provincial Park, ON22/5 1 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI

Brown Creeper 14/5 1 South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON

Gray Jay 31/5 2 in Wolf Howl Pond area, Algonquin PP, ON

Blue Jay 13/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau Provincial Park, ON14/5 several Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2+ Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 1 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI; 1 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI21/5 1 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI25/5 50+ Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 30+ Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI1/6 1 Paddle Inn, Oxtongue Lake, Algonquin PP, ON

American Crow 12/5 few along Highway 401 from Toronto to Ridgetown, ON17/5 1 Point Pelee NP Park road, ON19/5 few Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI23/5 1 Comfort Inn, Newberry, MI24/5 1 Comfort Inn, Newberry, MI31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 several Algonquin PP, ON

Common Raven 23/5 1 Comfort Inn, Newberry, MI24/5 few Seney NWR, MI; 2 Comfort Inn, Newberry, MI25/5 few Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI27/5 several M28, MI31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON

European Starling 13/5 several Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 several Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 few Point Pelee NP Park road, ON19/5 1 Tawas City, MI2/6 several Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

House Sparrow 12/5 several along Highway 401 from Toronto to Ridgetown, ON17/5 few Point Pelee NP Park road, ON19/5 few Tawas City, MI

White-eyed Vireo 14/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Yellow-throated Vireo 16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail & 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Blue-headed Vireo 13/5 3 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 5 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Warbling Vireo 13/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 South Point Trail (east), 2 Maintenance Area, & 2 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON; 1 Wheatley PP, ON16/5 common Tip & several Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 6 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 3 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI /01 319/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI20/5 1 Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI24/5 3+ Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI26/5 1 Seney NWR, MI

Philadelphia Vireo 17/5 8 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Red-eyed Vireo 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 2 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 Harrison Trail (north of VC) & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 few Tip & Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 100+ Tip & 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 few Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI; 1 Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI; 1 Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI21/5 1 Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI; 2+ Hartwick Pines SP, near Grayling, MI22/5 1 Platte River, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI; few Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI; few Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI23/5 3+ Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI24/5 1 Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI25/5 3 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI; 5+ Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI28/5 few Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON; few Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON29/5 1+ Jn with Gore Bay Airport Road, Manitoulin Island, ON; 1 Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 1 Whitefish Falls, Hwy 6, ON; few Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON

Purple Finch 25/5 1 Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI31/5 2 at Km 8, Algonquin PP, ON

House Finch 16/5 1 De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

White-winged Crossbill 1/6 1 Lookout Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Pine Siskin 25/5 3 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 3 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI1/6 3 Paddle Inn, Oxtongue Lake, Algonquin PP, ON

American Goldfinch 13/5 few Tulip Tree Trail & Visitor Centre, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 few Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 few Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI26/5 4+ Seney NWR, MI1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Evening Grosbeak 25/5 14 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI31/5 2 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 3 Algonquin PP, ON

Blue-winged Warbler 14/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 2 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Golden-winged Warbler 25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Tennessee Warbler 15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 3 Tip & 3 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Orange-crowned Warbler 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Nashville Warbler 14/5 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 4 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON21/5 several Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI30/5 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 2+ Algonquin PP, ON1/6 4+ Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Balsam Lake PP, ON

Northern Parula 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON23/5 2 Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI25/5 1 Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI26/5 2+ Hulbert Bog, Basnau Road, MI1/6 2 Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Yellow Warbler 13/5 2+ Tulip Tree Trail, several Spicebush Trail & 4 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 common Harrison Trail (north of VC), South Point Trail & Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 common Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 common Tip & Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 common Tip, Tilden's Woods Trail & De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 several Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; several Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI20/5 few Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI22/5 1 Platte River, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI 22-5-01 123/5 1 Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI24/5 several Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI29/5 few Bridal Veil Falls, Hwy 540, Manitoulin Island, ON; few Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Chestnut-sided Warbler 13/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 3 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2+ Tulip Tree Trail, 1 South Point Trail (east), 1 Maintenance Area, 1 Spicebush Trail & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 several Tip & few Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 28 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON22/5 1 Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI25/5 3 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI28/5 few Days Inn, Sault Ste Marie, MI29/5 1 Jn with Gore Bay Airport Road, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP,

Magnolia Warbler 13/5 3 Tulip Tree Trail, 3 Spicebush Trail & 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 3 Harrison Trail (north of VC), 3 Maintenance Area, 2 Spicebush Trail & 3 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 few Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 28 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI; few Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI26/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON

Cape May Warbler 17/5 5 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Black-throated Blue Warbler 17/5 4 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON1/6 2 Whiskey Rapids Trail & 2 Two Rivers Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Yellow-rumped Warbler ("Myrtle") 13/5 5 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Maintenance Area & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 3 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 5 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI24/5 1 Seney NWR, MI26/5 1 along FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI; 1 Tahquamenon River Mouth, Lake Huron, MI; 9 Seney NWR, MI28/5 few Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON29/5 1+ Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 5+ Algonquin PP, ON1/6 5+ Algonquin PP, ON

Black-throated Green Warbler 13/5 2+ Tulip Tree Trail & 3 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Visitor Centre, 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 1 Maintenance Area & 2 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 few Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, Ontario ON17/5 20 Tip, Point Pelee NP, 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area & 1Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 2+ Iargo Springs, Iosco County, MI21/5 2+ Hartwick Pines SP, near Grayling, MI22/5 1 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI23/5 5+ Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI25/5 2 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI; 2 Lower Falls, Tahquamenon Falls SP, MI28/5 few Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON29/5 2 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 3 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Blackburnian Warbler 16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 13 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON23/5 2 Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI1/6 1 Whiskey Rapids Trail, Algonquin PP, ON

Pine Warbler 20/5 1+ Lumberman's Monument Visitor Centre, Iosco County, MI21/5 2+ Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI23/5 1 Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI24/5 1 Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI26/5 3+ FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI

Kirtland's Warbler 21/5 6+ Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI

Palm Warbler 17/5 1 of "palmarum" race, Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Bay-breasted Warbler 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 4 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 17 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Blackpoll Warbler 16/5 1 Tip & 3 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 13 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI23/5 1 Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Cerulean Warbler 14/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON

Black and White Warbler 13/5 5 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC) & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 13 Tip, Point Pelee NP & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI1/6 2 Algonquin PP, ON

American Redstart 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 2 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 2 Maintenance Area & 1 Spicebush Trail & , Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 11 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 2 Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI22/5 4 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore & 2 Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI23/5 2+ Cut River mouth, Mackinac County, MI25/5 2 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI26/5 2+ Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI29/5 1 Red Lodge, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 1 Whitefish Falls, Hwy 6, ON; 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Prothonotary Warbler 13/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON

Ovenbird 14/5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC), Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Leamington. 1 Tip & 5 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON20/5 2 Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI21/5 3+ Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI; 3+ Hartwick Pines SP, near Grayling, MI22/5 1 Platte River, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI; 1 Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI24/5 1 Seney NWR, MI28/5 1 Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON29/5 1 Jn with Gore Bay Airport Road, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 3 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON1/6 several Algonquin PP, ON2/6 1 Balsam Lake PP, ON

Northern Waterthrush 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Connecticut Warbler 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Mourning Warbler 17/5 4 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Common Yellowthroat 17/5 10+ Tip, 1 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area & common Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON18/5 several Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON25/5 few Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI28/5 few Days Inn, Sault Ste Marie, MI29/5 few Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON

Hooded Warbler 14/5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC), Rondeau PP, ON

Wilson's Warbler 16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 15 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON25/5 2 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Canada Warbler 14/5 1 Harrison Trail (north of VC), Rondeau PP, ON17/5 10 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Yellow-breasted Chat 16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON; 2+ De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Scarlet Tanager 13/5 5 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 4 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 4 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 1 Hartwick Pines SP, near Grayling, MI25/5 1Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI

Eastern Towhee 13/5 3+ Tulip Tree Trail & few Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 2 De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 2 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON

Chipping Sparrow 13/5 2 Visitor Centre & 4 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 2 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI20/5 2 Au Sable River Scenic Lookout, Iosco County, MI21/5 2 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI26/5 1 along FR3344, near Trout Lake, MI1/6 1 Spring Lake Resort, Dwight, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Clay-colored Sparrow 19/5 4+ Gypsum Road, south of Alabaster, MI

Field Sparrow 14/5 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON21/5 2 Kirtland's Warbler Tour, off F32, Crawford County, MI2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Savannah Sparrow 17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI24/5 2+ Diversion Ditch, Seney NWR, MI29/5 1+ Hwy 542 east of Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 1 Strawberry Channel Viewpoint, Manitoulin Island, ON

Le Conte's Sparrow 24/5 1 Diversion Ditch, Seney NWR, MI27/5 4+ Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI

Song Sparrow 14/5 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 3 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON18/5 several Hillman Marsh CA, near Leamington, ON19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI; few Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI21/5 2+ Wakeley Lake, Crawford County, MI26/5 common Tahquamenon River Mouth, Lake Huron, MI29/5 few Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON; 2 Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 2 Strawberry Channel Viewpoint, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON2/6 few Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Lincoln's Sparrow 17/5 7 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON

Swamp Sparrow 16/5 1 De Laurier Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 common Marsh Boardwalk, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON

White-crowned Sparrow 14/5 4 South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON17/5 3 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 1 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI

White-throated Sparrow 13/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON17/5 1 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON26/5 2 Hulbert Bog, Basnau Road, MI28/5 1 Hwy 546, north of Iron Bridge, ON; 2 Semiwhite Lake, Mississagi PP, ON30/5 1 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON

Northern Cardinal 13/5 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 1 Maintenance Area & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 1 Marsh Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip, 1 Tilden's Woods Trail & 1 Visitor Centre, Point Pelee NP, ON

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON31/5 1 Algonquin PP, ON1/6 1 Algonquin PP, ON

Indigo Bunting 14/5 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON15/5 2 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON16/5 5 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 1 Tip & 1 Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON22/5 2 Otter Creek, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI

Bobolink 17/5 2 Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 5 Gypsum Road, south of Alabaster, MI; 10+ Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI27/5 few Shuck Road (10-12 Mile Roads), MI; few Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI29/5 few Hwy 542 east of Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, ON2/6 1 Ken Reid CA, off Hwy 35, ON

Red-winged Blackbird 12/5 common Highway 401 from Toronto to Ridgetown, ON13/5 common Spicebush Trail & Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 common Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 common Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI27/5 common Munuscong WMA, Gray Road, MI29/5 few Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 few Algonquin PP, ON

Eastern Meadowlark 27/5 2 Shuck Road (10-12 Mile Roads), MI

Yellow-headed Blackbird 19/5 7+ Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI

Brewer's Blackbird 23/5 1 Junction of US2 & M117, MI

Common Grackle 13/5 6+ Spicebush Trail & several Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 common Tip, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 several Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI29/5 few Bridal Veil Falls, Hwy 540, Manitoulin Island, ON30/5 2 Grundy Lake PP, off Hwy 69, ON31/5 few Algonquin PP, ON1/6 several Algonquin PP, ON

Brown-headed Cowbird 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail & 1 Maintenance Area, Rondeau PP, ON17/5 2+ Point Pelee NP Park road, ON19/5 few Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area, Saginaw Bay, MI24/5 few Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI

Baltimore Oriole 13/5 1 Tulip Tree Trail, 3 Visitor Centre & 3 Spicebush Trail, Rondeau PP, ON14/5 2 Tulip Tree Trail & 5 South Point Trail (east), Rondeau PP, ON15/5 5 Marsh Trail & 3 Wheatley PP, ON16/5 common Tip & several Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 15 Tip & 3 Sleepy Hollow Picnic Area, Point Pelee NP, ON19/5 5 Tawas Bay SP, Tawas, MI24/5 1 Nature Trail, Seney NWR, MI25/5 1 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, MI29/5 1 Bridal Veil Falls, Hwy 540, Manitoulin Island, ON

Orchard Oriole 16/5 7+ Tip & 5+ Tilden's Woods Trail, Point Pelee NP, ON17/5 4 Tip & 1 De Laurier Trail Parking Lot, Point Pelee NP, ON

SOUTHERN ONTARIO & MICHIGAN- SOME BIRD-FINDING TIPS FOR MAY

The following are tips and ideas I got from local birders on selected species. Each paragraph relates to comments from a different birder (where appropriate).

Least Bittern

A very sparse breeder in Michigan. Try areas around Saginaw Bay, north of Bay City such as Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area. South of Monroe (south of Detroit), the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area sometimes has this species. Best bet is at Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area north of Bay City.

Bufflehead

There will only be a few, late lingering migrants. Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area might be the best spot. Very rare breeder (if at all) in Michigan. It should be gone but you may get lucky at Nayanquing or even more likely at Seney Refuge.

Hooded Merganser

The Au Sable River east of Mio in the Kirtland's Warbler areas may have a few nesting birds. They may be a bit easier in the eastern Upper Peninsula, particularly in Mackinac and Luce counties. Breeds in Michigan but not easy to find - best bet is at Seney

Sharp-tailed Grouse

They have been more numerous than usual in winter 2000/1, with day-counts up to 100! These are in areas south of Sault Ste. Marie, and the birds are easier to find in winter (Dec-Feb) because the snow cover forces them into saplings for food. In April they'll be on their leks, and by May they could be difficult to find. One area, which may be abandoned now, is the Raco airfield near the small (ghost?) town of Raco. It is possible to find them by driving the roads south of the Soo. In particular the area between 6 mile and 12 mile roads particularly the areas east of Shuck road. It's mainly driving and getting lucky

Much more difficult in summer than in winter but you may be able to find it south of Sault Ste Marie. Try Riverside Rd and take side roads. Potentially good areas include 11Mile Rd and a small state game land where Riverside meets up with M40 (if you have a Delorme Atlas, it's an unnamed yellow patch at the south end of Riverside Road).

Sharp-tailed Grouse can be found anywhere around 11 and 12 mile roads just one-two miles east of M129 south of Sault Ste. Marie. They have also been found at Seney and at Raco, between Whitefish Point and the Sault, just south of M-28.

Yellow Rail

Seney NWR in Schoolcraft Co. is definitely the place to go. They are very difficult to see here, and going into the refuge after dark (the only time they call) may require a special permit).

Seney Refuge, check with the refuge manager for locations. This bird is nocturnal and you may have to walk quite a ways through areas with many mosquitoes to see (or at least hear) this bird.

Piping Plover

Sometimes seen on the beaches at Whitefish Point. It has also been at Wilderness State Park in the extreme north of the Lower Peninsula. An endangered species in the state, with only a handful of breeding pairs until the last year or two when the population increased somewhat. Try near the town of Grand Marais (east of Munising). Vermillion Road, which is about 6 mi. north of Paradise (south of Whitefish Point) and runs NW. This leads to a research station where Piping Plover nests annually. The area may be roped off but you may be able to see them from a distance. Spruce Grouse and numbers of warblers can be seen from this road.

A good chance for a Piping Plover is Tawas Point. It's about 1/3 of way up the Lake Huron Shoreline. Contact Gary or Tess Nilke at the 'Nordic Sports' in Tawas. He is a Volunteer for the Michigan Piping Plover programs.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Could be almost anywhere. A spot near Detroit for cuckoos (both species) is the Port Huron State Game Area. Numbers vary from year to year.

Hard to pin down but much more common in the Lower Peninsula, though not in Jack Pine areas. This bird might just be arriving. Sometimes they don't get here until June.

Black-backed Woodpecker

Occasional at Whitefish Point. Also in the Trout Lake area. Hulbert Bog. Take Basnau Road south from M28 near Hulbert Corners. The road goes south, then west, coming back out on M28. The westernmost mile is the bog. You will have to be lucky to find it. There are also some in Tahquamenon Falls SP.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

A late spring migrant that could be almost anywhere.

Acadian Flycatcher

There are a couple of areas at the Port Huron SGA where they can be found. Other areas are in Oakland Co. (around Pontiac) and points south.

This is a southern species. You may find it in the Detroit area, perhaps at Proud Lake Recreation Area. The entrance is on Wixom Road. Park at the lot at the end of the road and walk in about one mile to one mile. There are 1-3 pairs in the vicinity of the camping area.

Sedge Wren

Lots of areas, but widely spaced out. In the eastern parts of Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula they might be fairly easy. There should be in some of the areas with Le Conte's Sparrow, but it occurs in more places and in a somewhat greater variety of grassland types.

Nayanquing Point is probably the best spot but perhaps also at Seney Refuge.

Boreal Chickadee

Whitefish Point. is a good bet, along with Hulbert Bog near Hulbert Corners. They have also seen them at Detour State Park at the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. See Black-backed Woodpecker, they're in similar places

Louisiana Waterthrush

Very occasionally at Port Huron SGA. Very occasionally at a couple of spots in Oakland Co. More easily found in areas toward Lake Michigan. Try the recreation area just north of Proud Lake (Indian Hills Metropark?). They may not stay to nest.

Connecticut Warbler

A late spring migrant, possible at Pelee. Birds in migration in Michigan are usually posted on the Rare Bird Alerts, but are not often found for more than a day or two in any one spot. They breed at Trout Lake in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

State Forest Road 3344. This is a sand road (it looks like a tiny dirt track but gets a little better as you drive in) that goes west from M123 just north of Trout Lake. This bird arrives very late in May (or early June) and is very hard to see. Learn the song since this is how you will find this species. Try about one mile in on this road.

Forest Road 3344. Go in 1.25 to 1.75 miles from M123. This area is quite dependable for Connecticut Warbler. Continuing on this road and keeping right at an intersection, you will go through good areas for Black-backed Woodpecker. This road eventually winds back to M-123, which will then take you to Whitefish Point.

Le Conte's Sparrow

Seney NWR is a good bet. Areas of sedge in eastern Chippewa County can have this species also. Varies in number from year to year. Rare, check with the refuge manager at Seney for locations. My only one in Michigan was at Seney at an impoundment accessed from M28 (this is not the main area of the refuge). [Presumably where I saw my bird - RG]

Henslow's Sparrow

A reliable spot in Port Huron SGA has become less reliable the past couple of years. Another species that would make it to the Rare Bird Alert.

Rusty Blackbird

A very rare breeder in the state. Most migrate in April and early May. Very rare (maybe even casual) breeder in Michigan. Migrants will be long gone. Very little chance for this species

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SOUTHERN ONTARIO & MICHIGAN TRIP REPORT

12TH MAY - 2ND JUNE 2001

by Robert Grimmond