This was the final week of surveys with the final survey taking place on May 29th. There were 5 new species added to the list this week putting us at 124 species for the season. The last 5 species were Osprey, Hooded Warbler, and Alder, Willow and Acadian Flycatchers. Osprey have been around in Kalamazoo for a while now but have just eluded us because they are mostly a flyover visitor to Kleinstuck. The Hooded Warbler just stopped in for one day and was singing constantly. Flycatchers are typically one of later arriving migrants and all three showed up the last few days. These three species are part of the Empidomax family and all the species that fall with this family can be quite difficult to separate from each other unless the birds are vocalizing.
Birding in late May you also might hear the sounds of baby birds, especially woodpecker babies which are constantly chirping and crying for food. This time of year there is also lots of nest building and birds incubating eggs or in the case of the Wood Duck I saw leading her babies around. I always find it amazing to see all the bird nests that were hidden in the trees around my yard or Local Park as soon as the leaves start to fall. It was another great year of surveying at Kleinstuck and I ran into a bunch of birders and birds alike. So until next year happy birding.
– John Brenneman, KNC Senior Avian Biologist
Pictured: Female Wood Duck and Fledglings and Acadian Flycatcher by John Brenneman
