Birding Journeys: Tawas Trip

On May 15, I began the journey northeast up to Tawas, Michigan for the Tawas Point Birding Festival. I was able to get a ride with Ranger Steve Mueller, a very well known naturalist in Michigan, and his soon to be son-in-law. As we were driving some back roads, we had a Ruffed Grouse fly right across the rode. After pulling over though, we could not relocate it. That was only the second Ruffed Grouse I had ever seen. Our next stop on the way to Tawas, was in the Missaukee Fletcher Plains area. We tried for Clay-colored Sparrow, but only could get Vesper Sparrow. Near the trail head of the Missaukee trail, we had many warblers and a lone Great Crested Flycatcher. Because we were in the area, we made a stop at North Higgins Lake State Park, a state park that I had never been to. The woods along the lake were full of song. Common Loons were on the water and about seven different species of warbler were in the cedars along the shore. Our last stop on the drive was at the Houghton Lake Flooding area. We had hoped for Black Tern, but came up empty (Except for an Osprey sighting). We arrived in East Tawas around 4:30. After dropping my backpacks off at the house I was staying at, I went to the harbor park right by the festival headquarters. It wasn't long before I picked up Lincoln's Sparrow, Common Tern, and Spotted Sandpiper. From there, I started by 4 mile walk to Tawas Point State Park. During the walk, I saw Veery, Bay-breasted Warbler, Mourning Warbler (Lifer!), and many others. After entering the state park around 6:30, I ran into Sarah Toner (one of Michigan's top young birders) who was just starting her walk. After "joining forces" were saw many birds, including Great Egret, Long-tailed Duck, Piping Plover (Lifer! and Endangered), Caspian Tern, Purple Martin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-thoated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, and Orchard Oriole "to name a few". About 8:00, I started my 4 mile walk back to the headquarters. I'm glad I did, because I flushed a Ruffed Grouse, unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me. It was a good day. 100 species of bird, 23 of them warblers.
Friday morning, I walked out of the house I was staying at at 6:30, and heard for the first time an American Bittern calling (It was at Tawas Lake). If you have never heard the American Bittern on a cold dawn, then I suggest that you should try. I got a ride to the state park and arrived around 7. I hadn't signed up for any tours till 10, but someone was not able to come for the earlier walk and let me go in her place. The highlights for that walk included Merlin, Philadelphia Vireo, and a female Summer Tanager (Lifer!). On the 10 o'clock walk, I saw a Red-throated Loon (Lifer!). Afterward, I again walked four miles back to headquarters. During that walk, I heard a Ruffed Grouse drumming for the first time, saw Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Gray-cheecked Thrush. Wendy Tatar, the program coordinator for Michigan Audubon, let me come to the festival banquet. After eating, a talk was given the the authors of The Warbler Guide. Ranger Steve met up with me when it was done, and we went to Tuttle marsh to try for some nocturnal species. The trip yielded Barred Owl and Sora.
Saturday morning, I met with some of the members of the Michigan Young Birders Club and we walked all over the state park. Some of the highlights were Northern Mockingbird, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, Brown Creeper, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow, and Bobolink. Between 1 and 5, 5 of the young birders gave their own presentations. We did some more birding, and then went to the Tally Rally. I think the official number for the festival up to that point was 184 species. I went to Tuttle Marsh again with Ranger Steve and had a much more successful trip. We saw/heard Common Nighthawk, Veery, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, American Woodcock, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Trumpeter Swan, a possible Cackling Goose, Virginia Rail, Sora, American Kestrel, Eastern Screech Owl, Sandhill Crane, and on top of all that, I saw my first live Porcupine.
Sunday finally arrived (Talk about nonstop birding!). Today was going to be the Kirtland's Warbler tour. It did not disappoint. We had Trumpeter Swans on nest, Cliff Swallows, Kirtland's Warbler (Endangered), Common Raven, Red-headed Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, Hermit Thrush, and Field Sparrow. The drive home then came. We tried again for the Black Terns at Houghton Lake flooding area, but couldn't find them. We had Cooper's Hawk and Tundra Swan on the drive home (Though the Tundra Swan was debated because of how distant it was, and we all did not agree on the I.D.). Overall, I had 146 species in these four days, 26 of them warblers.
I apologize for such a long post, but I wanted to add a couple things. First off, it won't be long before the Red-shouldered Hawk eggs hatch. Second, in June I will, like last year, be co-leading tours for the Cerulean Warbler Weekend. Lastly, I may be going to the Keweenaw Peninsula in July for a botanical foray; I hope that works out! Now for the pictures...