Birder's The OFO field trip from Sault Ste. Marie exploring select locations on the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan started off this morning with cool temperatures at 0520 hrs. We were viewing a very cooperative LeConte's Sparrow in the scope before 0600. Then the rain started and the temperatures plummeted to what would be considered"bad" for April. We proceeded to the Trout Lake area were despite persistent moderate to heavy rain a Connecticut Warbler performed its routine proudly from high in the Black Spruce "canopy" until the group had all had good looks. Although the rain was annoying that combined with the cool temperatures kept the bugs which are typically quite extreme to a remarkably negligible level. After a few stops we all needed coffee and some time to warm up and dry out in what seemed like a rather incongruously (given the weather) named Paradise, Michigan. During a brief abatement in the rather torrential downpour we toured a quite productive road through pristine bog habitat and managed to find Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided Flycatcher's along with breeding Palm Warblers, Alder Flycatcher's and several other warbler species. We headed back towards the Sault stopping at a few spots for Brewer's Blackbirds, Clay-coloured Sparrows, Bobolinks etc. but as often is the case at this time of year we stuck out on Sharp-tailed Grouse(which were undoubtedly huddled up some place dry). Given the cold rain we skipped the walk out to Whitefish Point for Piping Plovers.
Despite the adverse conditions we found most of what people were looking for. The 5 keen birders that joined me had mostly driven a very long way to partake in the outing and they were all very congenial and enthusiastic despite the less than welcoming climatic conditions. Their company was much appreciated. Thanks Kirk Zufelt Sault Ste. Marie, ON http://www.pelagicodyssey.ca/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
