MAY 2009 MEETING
Thursday, May 7th at Fenner Nature Center, corner of Mt. Hope and Aurelius Roads
"Good birding areas in the Michigan Audubon Sanctuaries" by Tom Funke. Tom will be discussing the many different birding opportunities in the MAS sanctuary system.
Refreshmnents and Social begin at 7:00 pm; meeting and program at 7:30.
All are welcome.
SATUDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS:
Saturday morning birdwalks will be held at Fenner Nature Center from May 1st to June 6th except Memorial Day Weeekend at 8:00AM
The next scheduled highway trash pickup is set for Satuday July 11th at 8:00AM. We meet at the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel on Saginaw exit of I-96/69. The fall highway pickup is on September 19th.
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. |
