Kleinstuck Spring Bird Surveys

April 30 – May 6, 2026

This last week started out cold with northerly winds that pretty much stalled out the migration until Sunday night, which is when the wind shifted to the south and both Monday and Tuesday, we had many new arrivals and more of our summer residents returning.  This last week we added 9 new species (listed in red below) most occurring in the last couple of days, bringing us to a total of 97 species for the season.  There were 3 new species of Warbler and 3 new species of Thrush along with a Great-crested Flycatcher and a Yellow-throated Vireo.  I was also lucky enough to see a Bald Eagle flying over carrying a fish.  One of the new warblers was a Blackburnian Warbler which is one of my favorites with that beautiful orange throat, they are just difficult to see most of the time since they prefer to be in the treetops.  This time of year, also brings the Oak trees into bloom with their caterpillar like catkins which are a favorite for a whole host of species especially warblers.  So, if you see an Oak tree keep a close eye on it because there is most likely some birds in it. Another one of the new arrivals was a very cooperative Veery which I was able to get a photo of.  Hopefully this coming week we shall see a large movement of birds with the peak of the migration usually happening around mid-May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue-winged Warbler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-tailed Hawk

 

April 23 – 29, 2026

Well, the past week it has been very wet with many rain showers, storms and strong winds. A handful of trees have come down at the preserve, and I have seen WMU staff out clearing the trees on two occasions. Despite this there was a trickle of new birds that came in with 9 new species this past week (highlighted in red below), putting us at 88 species for the season. Five of the new species were warblers and all were to be expected at this time of year. One of my favorite species, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak has also returned. The Red-shouldered Hawk is still sitting on her nest and eggs, and I was thinking of her when the strong wind and storms come in. Such dedication to sit for hours on end through all the intense weather we have had. I think those eggs will be hatching real soon since it has been almost 4 weeks since she started incubating them now. The next few days are predicted to have cooler temperatures and winds from the north which will slow or stall most new birds moving in, however watch for the first night of southerly breezes because it should be a great day the next morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Waterthrush

 

April 16 – 22, 2026

This past week has been one of fluctuating temperatures, with below freezing to almost 80 degrees. It also has been a very early leaf out with the vegetation looking more like early May which is still almost 10 days away. This past week I added 14 new species (highlighted in red) to the list putting us at 79 for the season now. There were a couple surprises this week with the Hooded Warbler being the most notable showing up on the 16th after a warm night of southerly breezes. This record tied the earliest date ever for this species being found in Kalamazoo County. The Hooded Warbler was only seen for one day before disappearing. Another slightly early species returning was an Ovenbird heard on April 21st. Some other more expected Warblers were also found this week with Nashville and Yellow Warblers and a Northern Waterthrush. The Broad-winged Hawk has once again returned and is hanging out in the back property near where the Dentist office is located, fingers crossed it will stay and nest for a 3rd year. Get your oranges and grape jelly out because the Orioles have returned and I would also put up some Hummingbird feeders because I think they will show up very soon if they have not already, especially given the warm temps expected in the next couple days. I still have not had any Black-and-white or Black-throated Green Warblers yet, but I expect that to change very soon also. Spring is here and each day new birds are arriving so get out and explore Kleinstuck or your favorite local park, it is a great time of year to be birding.

Pair of Wood Ducks

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-throated Sparrow

April 9 – 15, 20206

The last week has been a little slow, adding only 6 new additions (highlighted red in the following list) putting us at 65 for the season. The Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Hermit Thrush numbers have increased significantly in the last week, and the Ruby-crowned Kinglets are now outnumbering their close cousin Golden-crowned Kinglets. Purple Finches have increased in the last few days with birds that probably overwintered farther south and are now moving back north. Tree Swallows have been present for a couple weeks but finally showed up at Kleinstuck. The first Blue-headed Vireo was on Monday April 13th, and we can expect a bunch more in the coming weeks. Birds to be on the watch out for this coming week would be House Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and maybe a warbler species or two that are not Yellow-rumped, like a Black-and-white or Black-throated Green Warbler. Hoping to see a little less rain this coming week also.

 

 

3/31/26 – 4/8/26

The last nine days have either been wet or cold and we lost 3 days of surveys due to bad weather. Regardless, we happened to find 9 new birds (highlighted in red) this past week, bringing us to a total of 59 species for the season. So far this season I have witnessed many birds fighting with each other including an interspecies battle between a Chickadee and a Downy Woodpecker which I am assuming was over a nesting hole. I also observed two male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers fighting in mid-air and only stopping when they almost hit the ground. In the Spring there are longer daylight hours which in turn triggers testosterone to build in male birds making them aggressive to other males or even their reflection in a window or mirror to the chagrin of some homeowners. Someone also reported to me this year they saw two Red-bellied Woodpeckers fighting in their yard until one was dead. Now birds fighting to the death is a rare event but can happen especially when sharp powerful bills are used. I have on two separate occasions witnessed a Red-winged Blackbird kill a Song Sparrow and a Dark-eyed Junco. Now Red-winged Blackbirds are notorious for their aggressive behavior and can be seen attacking much larger birds, like hawks or even humans if you have been unlucky enough to get divebombed by one. This extra aggressive behavior serves as an umbrella of protection for other species nesting within the territories of Blackbirds, but I guess comes with some risk also. I expect the next week will bring higher numbers of Hermit Thrushes, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Winter Wrens. I also think that Ruby-crowned Kinglets should start to come through and replace the numerous Golden-crowned Kinglets that are around now. Hoping for some warm weather soon and happy birding.

2025 Surveys