Another good week of new arrivals with 16 new species pushing our total species count to 113 thus far this season. Some of the highlights include some colorful warblers like the Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blue and Hooded Warblers. The Hooded Warbler is a species that nests in Kalamazoo County although they are not likely to do so in Kleinstuck Preserve and will move to some more likely nesting sites like Fort Custer Recreation Area or Kellogg Forest. This Hooded Warbler was a beautiful male bird that was very vocal and not shy and let me get some great looks and a few photos. Another surprise this week was the presence of a Red-headed Woodpecker. This species has only been confirmed in Kleinstuck 4 times in the past 25 years. I am hoping that some of the Oak Forest regeneration around the Preserve will entice this species to become more commonplace in the future. Still some species to be expected over the next week, especially with the warm weather coming next week. Some birds to keep an eye out for would be both species of Cuckoos and more Flycatchers like the Acadian, Willow and Alder. Happy Birding!
