Leaving Grayling behind and heading much further south in to Washtenaw and Jackson counties, our main targets for the day were some of the grassland loving birds found at Sharonville SGA. Arriving on site and checking out the eastern most car park first, we were immediately met with the distinctive song of a male Dickcissel, starting off distant but soon coming in to the trees surrounding the car park.
Achieving good views as it flitted from perch to post, our attention was soon captured by a small brown bird perched on a nearby fence wire. Needing several species of sparrow still for the trip, further scrutiny into the markings as well as the large head and bill shape revealed it to be a Grasshopper Sparrow, one of our main targets for the day and what transpired to be our only bird of the trip.
Like the Bobolink, Grasshopper Sparrows are sadly also in decline across the states, the population declining by 68% in recent years due to the loss of traditional grassland habitats.
Dickcissel |
Grasshopper Sparrow |
With nothing else of note bar a Great Blue Heron drifting over the distant treetops, we headed west to the Wildlife Management Area, a hotspot for our next target bird and another grassland specialist – the Henslow’s Sparrow. A shallow puddle at the side of the road on our way in produced a number of House Finches and Chipping Sparrows quenching their thirst, while a pair of Turkey Vultures paraded on the gravel in front of us scavenging a number of titbits left behind.
Sparrow habitat at Sharonville SGA |
This Groundhog popped its head up for a few moments to check us out |
Field Sparrow |
Henslow's Sparrow |
Acadian Flycatcher |
The break in the weather had clearly brought the birds out, as several woodpeckers joined in the action in the form of both Red-bellied and Downy, while a tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbird hovering daintily and visiting the flowers carpeting the woodland floor was an unexpected and enchanting highlight – buzzing from petal to petal like a forest fairy as it gathered essential nectar.
No comments:
Post a Comment