MARCH 2010 MEETING
Thursday, March 4th. at Fenner Nature Center, corner of Mt. Hope and Aurelius Roads.
"Costa Rica-Land of Riches" By Randy Baker from Naturalist Endeavors
Refreshmnents and Social begin at 7:00 pm; meeting and program at 7:30.
All are welcome.
35. Maple River State Game Area, Gratiot County, MI
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A large variety of birds makes Maple River exceptional any time of year. I try to visit the area at least once a month. During early spring, the river often fills with hundreds of migrating Tundra Swans that stop over for about a week before moving north. I also like to drive around to find the Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl, or Red-tailed Hawk nests that are common throughout the area. As spring progresses, colossal numbers of diving and dabbling ducks gather across the flooding. On a good day, you may find the vast majority of Michigan's inland ducks. During the peak of spring migration, warbler flocks pass through the forests lining the river, and Prothonotary Warblers and Red-headed Woodpeckers arrive to nest on the west side of the flooding (Unit A). While walking to the viewing areas, I often come across several rails or a Least Bittern. A few summers ago, two of the state's endangered King Rails were seen there. In the fall, the fields and impoundments flood, and impressive flocks of shorebirds gather. But my favorite season to bird Maple River is winter. The fields surrounding the flooding bring in large numbers of Rough-legged Hawks, Snow Buntings, Northern Harriers, and occasionally a Short-eared Owl or Northern Shrike. -- Erik Enbody Erik Enbody grew up in East Lansing, and is currently a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Read about birdwatching on Belle Isle Park in Detroit. |
