May 2007 Summary of Bird Sightings in Muskegon County
(Includes North American Migration Count Below)
by Brian Johnson
LOCATIONS: MSGA: Muskegon State Game Area MSP: Muskegon State Park MWS north: Muskegon Wastewater System property north of Apple Ave. MWS south: Muskegon Wastewater System property south of Apple Ave.
CANADA GOOSE - 62 on May 12 by the Causeway (FD)
MUTE SWAN - 8 on May 24 at MWS north (JP)
TRUMPETER SWAN - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
WOOD DUCK - 15 (7 adults, 8 young) on May 29 at White Lake and White Lake Marsh (BB, JB)
GADWALL - 22 on May 12 at MWS (JP) AMERICAN
WIGEON - 1 male on May 19 at MWS north (BJ, MNC Big Day)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL - 2 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
NORTHERN SHOVELER - 17 on May 12, 8 on May 24 at MWS north (JP)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL - 1 male on May 19 at MWS south (BJ, MNC Big Day)
REDHEAD - 4 on May 24 at MWS north (JP)
RING-NECKED DUCK - 2 on May 19 at MWS north (BJ, MNC Big Day)
LESSER SCAUP - 24 on May 12 at MWS north (JP)
BUFFLEHEAD - 1 female on May 29 at MWS north (JP)
COMMON GOLDENEYE - 1 on May 27 at MWS (JV)
COMMON MERGANSER - 21 on May 12 at Duck Lake Channel (DV, DM); 1 female on May 15 at MWS north (CW)
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - 18 on May 12 at Duck Lake Channel (DV, DM)
RUDDY DUCK - 443 on May 12, 392 on May 24, 248 on May 29 at MWS north (JP); 1 on May 29 at White Lake (BB, JB); 1 melanistic individual on May 7 (SF) and May 15 (CW) at MWS north
RUFFED GROUSE - 1 on May 27 by DNR Headquarters (JV)
HORNED GREBE - 4 on May 5 at MWS north (CW)
EARED GREBE - 2 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day), May 24 (JP), and May 27 (JV) at MWS north
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN - 5 on May 27 over Montague (PG); 1 on May 29 at White Lake (BB, JB)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - 10 on May 12 at White Lake Channel (DV, DM)
LEAST BITTERN - 1 on May 26 (JV) and May 29 (JP) at Lanes Landing
GREAT EGRET - 3 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 2 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 1 on May 30 at White Lake Marsh (BB, JB)
GREEN HERON - 1 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB)
TURKEY VULTURE - 42 on May 24 at MWS north (JP)
OSPREY - 1 on May 1 at MSP (GG)
BALD EAGLE - 1 immature on May 5 at MWS north (CW)
NORTHERN HARRIER - 1 on May 1 at MSP Snug Harbor (GG); 1 on May 2 at MWS (MM); 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK - 1 on May 5 at MSP (GG)
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK - 2 on May 12 in Muskegon (JW); 1 on May 12 by DNR Headquarters (BJ, LU)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK - 1 on May 4 in Fruitport Township (RP)
RED-TAILED HAWK - nest with 1 juvenile at MWS north May 5 - 25 (CW)
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - 1 dark morph on May 5 at MWS south (CW)
PEREGRINE FALCON - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 2 adults and eggs at nestbox on May 5 at Cobb Plant (RP, CW); 5 chicks banded by Nik Kalejs of Michigan DNR on May 25 at Cobb Plant nestbox
VIRGINIA RAIL - 1 on May 7 at Causeway Marsh (RP, FD); 1 on May 19 at Lanes Landing (MNC Big Day)
SORA - 5 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 1 on May 7 at DNR Headquarters (JV)
COMMON MOORHEN - 2 on May 19 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (MNC Big Day)
AMERICAN COOT - 32 on May 19 at MWS north (JP)
SANDHILL CRANE - 3 on May 12 at Causeway Marsh (FD); 3 on May 12 at White River Marsh (DV, DM)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - 1 on May 15 (CW), 12 on May 27 (JV) at MWS north
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER - 3 on May 15 and 2 on May 25 at MWS north (CW)
KILLDEER - 35 on May 25 at MWS (CW)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 41 on May 25 at MWS north (CW)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER - 8 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 3 on May 12 at MWS north (JP)
WILLET - about 20 on May 5 at MWS north (CW)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 39 on May 5, 10 on May 15, 1 on May 25 at MWS north (CW)
UPLAND SANDPIPER - 5 on May 12 (JP), 4 on May 15 (CW) at MWS
RUDDY TURNSTONE - 2 on May 5 (CW), 3 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day), 5 on May 26 (JV) at MWS north
SANDERLING - 2 on May 15 (CW), 6 on May 24 (JP) at MWS north
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER - 2 on May 5 (CW), 6 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day), 85 on May 25 at MWS north (CW)
LEAST SANDPIPER - 3 on May 2 (FD, CD), 30 on May 5 (CW), 33 on May 12 (JP), 23 on May 15 (CW), and 2 on May 25 (CW) at MWS north
PECTORAL SANDPIPER - 1 on May 15 at MWS north (CW), only report
DUNLIN - 85 on May 12 (JP), 78 on May 15 (CW), and 58 on May 24 (JP) at MWS north
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER - 7 on May 12 (JP), 3 on May 15 (CW), and 3 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day) at MWS north
WILSON'S SNIPE - 1 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
AMERICAN WOODCOCK - 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
WILSON'S PHALAROPE - 2 females on May 5, 2 (pair) on May 15 at MWS north (CW)
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 1 female on May 25 (CW) and May 27 (JV) at MWS north
BONAPARTE'S GULL - about 200 on May 2 (MM), 54 on May 12 (JP) at MWS north
RING-BILLED GULL - 15,498 nests on May 24 at MWS north (JP, FD); this represents a record high count of nests for the site
HERRING GULL - 125 nests on May 24 at MWS north (JP, FD)
CASPIAN TERN - 4 on May 12 at White Lake Channel (DV, DM)
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO - 2 on May 5 at (CP, HB), 4 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA; 2 on May 26 by DNR Headquarters (JV)
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
BARRED OWL - 2 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
COMMON NIGHTHAWK - 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
WHIP-POOR-WILL - 2 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
CHIMNEY SWIFT - 1 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - 1 on May 2 in Dalton Township (KM); 4 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
BELTED KINGFISHER - 2 (including female at nest hole) on May 25 at MWS north (CW)
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER - 1 on May 2 by Lanes Landing at Mosquito Creek (FD, CD); 1 on May 12 at Pioneer Park (KM); 1 on May 12 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (GG, RL); 3 on May 12 in Laketon Township (CG, MG)
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER - 11 on May 12 MSGA (BJ, LU)
PILEATED WOODPECKER - 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE - 4 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - 1 on May 19 at Lanes Landing (BJ, MNC Big Day)
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER - 3 on May 24 at MSGA (CP, HB)
ALDER FLYCATCHER - 1 on May 28 in Fruitport Township (RP); 1 on May 28 at Lanes Landing (RP)
WILLOW FLYCATCHER - 2 on May 19 at Lanes Landing (BJ, MNC Big Day); 3 on May 24 at MSGA (CP, HB)
LEAST FLYCATCHER - 1 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER - 3 on May 5 (CP, HB), 9 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
EASTERN KINGBIRD - 1 on May 2 at DNR Headquarters (FD, CD); 6 on May 12 at MWS (JP)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO - 11 on May 5 (CP, HB), 14 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
BLUE-HEADED VIREO - 2 on May 12 at Duck Lake State Park (DV, DM), only report
WARBLING VIREO - 4 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
RED-EYED VIREO - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 2 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
COMMON RAVEN - 1 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD) PURPLE MARTIN - 7 on May 12 at White Lake (DV, DM)
TREE SWALLOW - 220 on May 12 at MWS north (JP)
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW - 7 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD)
BANK SWALLOW - over 100 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD); 300 on May 12 at MWS north (JP)
BARN SWALLOW - 80 on May 12 at MWS (JP)
CLIFF SWALLOW - 2 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH - 1 on May 12 in Dalton Township (KM); 1 on May 12 at MSP Lost Lake (CW, JWi)
BROWN CREEPER - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 1 on May 12 at MSP Lost Lake (CW, JWi)
HOUSE WREN - 2 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP); 4 on May 12 in Muskegon (JW)
WINTER WREN - 1 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB)
SEDGE WREN - 1 on May 12 (BJ, LU), 4 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day) at Lanes Landing
MARSH WREN - 3 on May 2 (FD, CD), 4 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at Lanes Landing
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - 7 on May 2 at Lanes Landing (FD, CD); 8 on May 12 at Duck Lake State Park (CW, JWi); 1 on May 19 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (BJ, MNC Big Day)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER - 3 on May 2 at DNR Headquarters (FD, CD); 13 on May 5 (CP, HB), 15 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA VEERY - 3 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi); 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
WOOD THRUSH - 1 on May 5 (CP, HB), 6 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
GRAY CATBIRD - 3 on May 5 (CP, HB), 20 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD - 1 on May 6 in North Muskegon (JM)
BROWN THRASHER - 1 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD); 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP)
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER - 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP); 4 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
TENNESSEE WARBLER - 3 on May 12 in Muskegon (JW)
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - 1 on May 12 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (GG, RL)
NASHVILLE WARBLER - 1 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe); 3 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB)
NORTHERN PARULA - 1 on May 12 at Duck Lake State Park (DV, DM)
YELLOW WARBLER - 3 on May 2 at Lanes Landing (FD, LU); 80 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
MAGNOLIA WARBLER - 1 on May 8 at Hoffmaster State Park (GD); 2 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - 2 on May 5 at Lanes Landing (FD, CD); 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP); 8 on May 12 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (GG, RL)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER - 1 on May 12 in Muskegon (JW)
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER - 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP); 8 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
PINE WARBLER - 1 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe); 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP) PALM WARBLER - 2 on May 2 at Lanes Landing (FD, CD); 3 on May 12 (GG, RL), 1 on May 19 (BJ, MNC Big Day) at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve
BLACKPOLL WARBLER - 1 on May 2 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
CERULEAN WARBLER - 2 on May 5, 16 on May 24 at MSGA (CP, HB)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER - 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP); 2 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB)
AMERICAN REDSTART - 3 on May 5 (CP, HB), 13 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 26 on May 24 at MSGA (CP, HB), record high count from Muskegon County
OVENBIRD - 1 on May 5 in Fruitport Township (RP)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - 5 on May 5 (CP, HB), 3 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - 1 on May 8 at Hoffmaster State Park (GD); 73 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
HOODED WARBLER - 1 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
WILSON'S WARBLER - 1 on May 8 at Hoffmaster State Park (GD); 1 on May 19 at Lanes Landing (MNC Big Day)
CANADA WARBLER - 1 on May 8 at Hoffmaster State Park (GD); 3 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
SCARLET TANAGER - 1 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe); 2 on May 5 (CP, HB), 8 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
EASTERN TOWHEE - 3 on May 12 in Dalton Township (KM)
CHIPPING SPARROW - 22 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
FIELD SPARROW - 10 on May 12 at MWS (JP)
VESPER SPARROW - 2 adults at nest with 4 eggs on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU)
SAVANNAH SPARROW - 39 on May 12 at MWS (JP)
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW - 3 on May 12 at Lanes Landing (BJ, LU); 5 on May 15 at MWS (CW)
NELSON'S SPARROW - 1 on May 26 at Lanes Landing (JV); second Muskegon County record
SONG SPARROW - 73 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW - 1 on May 2 in Muskegon (FD); 1 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
SWAMP SPARROW - 2 on May 2 at Lanes Landing (FD, CD); 36 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW - 9 on May 5 at MSGA (CP, HB); 19 on May 12 at MSP (CW, JWi)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - 1 on May 1 at MSP (GG); 11 on May 12 at DNR Headquarters (BJ, LU); 1 on May 15 at MWS (CW)
DARK-EYED JUNCO - 2 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe)
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - 1 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe); 6 on May 2 by DNR Headquarters (FD, CD); 9 on May 5 (CP, HB), 19 on May 12 (BJ, LU) at MSGA
INDIGO BUNTING - 1 on May 7 in Dalton Township (KM); 1 on May 9 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe)
BOBOLINK - 2 on May 13 (MM), 5 on May 26 (JV) at MWS
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - 160 on May 12 at MWS (JP)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK - 5 on May 12 by the Causeway (FD)
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD - 10 on May 2 at MWS (FD, CD); 4 on May 5 at MWS south (CW)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE - 11 on May 12 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (GG, RL); 15 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
ORCHARD ORIOLE - 2 on May 19 at MWS south (BJ, MNC Big Day)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - 42 on May 12 at MSGA (BJ, LU)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE - 1 on May 1 in Fruitport Township (RP, CPe)
OBSERVERS: Betty Blanshine, John Blanshine, Haley Breniser, Greg DeWeerd, Charlie DeWitt, Feller DeWitt, Sean Fitzgerald, Clif Gasaway, Mary Gasaway, G. B. Girardi, Paul Gillan, Brian Johnson, Rosella Lombardi, Jackie Meyers, Mike Moran, Kathryn Mork, Diane Morton-Pletcher, Carol Pedler (CPe), Ric Pedler, James Ponshair, Caleb Putnam, Lena Usyk, Jon Vande Kopple, Dayle Vanderweir, John Walhout, Carolyn Weng, John Will (JWi)
We encourage everyone to submit records of birds (as well as of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) seen in Muskegon County. Sightings made in June-August will appear in next month's newsletter and the MCNC website. Please be sure to include date, location, number, and observer for each species seen. Send sightings to Brian Johnson or Ric Pedler. Reports should be received by Sept. 2.
MUSKEGON NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATION COUNT
The second annual Muskegon NAMC was held on May 12, 2007. Between 6:00am and 10:00pm, a total of 15 participants (separated among 10 parties) accumulated 56.5 hours of observation time in the field and 21 hours at 2 bird feeders. Their efforts resulted in 35,977 birds of 146 species. This is nice increase from the 2006 count, in which 11 participants encountered 10,574 birds of 138 species.
Coverage encompassed the prime Muskegon County birding areas, such as the Muskegon State Game Area, Muskegon State Park, and the Muskegon Wastewater System, as well as several smaller, generally under-birded locations across Muskegon County.
(In the preceding May report, all records from May 12 represent sightings made during this year's NAMC.)
The overall list is presented below. Many thanks to this year's volunteers: Marilyn Crane, Feller DeWitt, Clif Gasaway, Mary Gasaway, G. B. Girardi, Brian Johnson, Rossella Lombardi, Kathryrn Mork, Diane Morton-Pletcher, James Ponshair, Lena Usyk, Dayle Vanderwier, John Walhout, Carolyn Weng and John Will.
- Species -
Count Canada Goose - 142
Mute Swan - 68
Trumpeter Swan - 1
Wood Duck - 11
Gadwall - 23
Mallard - 77
Blue-winged Teal - 2
Northern Shoveler - 20
Ring-necked Duck - 2
Lesser Scaup - 24
Bufflehead - 4
Hooded Merganser - 4
Common Merganser - 22
Red-breasted Merganser - 27
Ruddy Duck - 443
Ruffed Grouse - 4
Wild Turkey - 6
Pied-billed Grebe - 3
Eared Grebe - 2
Double-crested Cormorant - 33
Great Blue Heron - 18
Great Egret - 2
Green Heron - 1
Turkey Vulture - 61
Bald Eagle - 3
Northern Harrier - 2
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 4
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 4
Virginia Rail - 2
Sora - 6
American Coot - 36
Sandhill Crane - 11
Wilson's Snipe - 1
Semipalmated Plover - 1
Killdeer - 25
Spotted Sandpiper - 32
Solitary Sandpiper - 3
Lesser Yellowlegs - 13
Upland Sandpiper - 5
Least Sandpiper - 33
Dunlin - 85
Short-billed Dowitcher - 7
American Woodcock - 3
Bonaparte's Gull - 54
Ring-billed Gull - 31,033
Herring Gull - 263
Caspian Tern - 6
Rock Pigeon - 5
Mourning Dove - 68
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 4
Black-billed Cuckoo - 1
Barred Owl - 2
Common Nighthawk - 3
Whip-poor-will - 2
Chimney Swift - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 5
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Red-headed Woodpecker - 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 25
Downy Woodpecker - 11
Hairy Woodpecker - 4
Northern Flicker - 11
Pileated Woodpecker - 11
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 5
Least Flycatcher - 5
Eastern Phoebe - 4
Great Crested Flycatcher - 12
Eastern Kingbird - 19
Yellow-throated Vireo - 15
Blue-headed Vireo - 2
Warbling Vireo - 6
Red-eyed Vireo - 5
Blue Jay - 77
American Crow - 41
Horned Lark - 4
Purple Martin - 9
Tree Swallow - 287
Rough-winged Swallow - 8
Bank Swallow - 304
Cliff Swallow - 12
Barn Swallow - 226
Black-capped Chickadee - 25
Tufted Titmouse - 28
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch - 12
Brown Creeper - 2
House Wren - 18
Sedge Wren - 1
Marsh Wren - 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 15
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 24
Eastern Bluebird - 16
Veery - 4
Wood Thrush - 13
American Robin - 133
Gray Catbird - 58
Brown Thrasher - 6
European Starling - 129
Blue-winged Warbler - 5
Tennessee Warbler - 4
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 1
Yellow Warbler - 113
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 13
Black-throated Green Warbler - 6
Palm Warbler - 7
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 17
Prothonotary Warbler - 3
Ovenbird - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 97
Hooded Warbler - 1
Canada Warbler - 3
Scarlet Tanager - 16
Eastern Towhee - 9
Chipping Sparrow - 68
Field Sparrow - 20
Vesper Sparrow - 8
Savannah Sparrow - 45
Grasshopper Sparrow - 3
Song Sparrow - 129
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 39
White-throated Sparrow - 28
White-crowned Sparrow - 26
Northern Cardinal - 57
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 33
Indigo Bunting - 6
Bobolink - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 565
Eastern Meadowlark - 8
Common Grackle - 90
Brown-headed Cowbird - 47
Baltimore Oriole - 48
House Finch - 27
American Goldfinch - 97
House Sparrow - 8