On Sunday morning, 05/08, I arrived a little early to look around the park. This is not one of my usual birding areas but I have been honored to lead a spring and fall trip here for the Detroit Audubon Society. The thing is, in the three trips I have lead here so far, not one has stepped up to the plate with regard to sightings. Truthfully, I had high hopes for this sunny, May 8th morning, but on the evening prior the weather was growing colder and the wind really did seem from the north - generally not good traveling conditions for spring migrants.
I liked this song sparrow framed by yet unbolted pink buds.
My first catbird of the season. It was the only one I saw here and it did not present itself again, in voice or in person, for the trip participants.
Above and below: baby mallards - so cute!
Could have been better by a close shot of a red-winged blackbird.
The ever handsome tree swallow.
Above and below: A somewhat distant, but photographable, Baltimore Oriole. Its bright orange breast stood out against the more or less leafless background. I saw my first Baltimore orioles of the season on Sunday morning. When I got home and downloaded my photos I noticed that this bird was banded. There is a banding group that operates in the park.
We heard Sora and Virginia Rail in the marsh areas of this park. These are common birds here and they were vocalizing up a storm - but, we did not see even one. That's always frustrating. We saw, up-close, swamp sparrows in a wooded area along one of the trails. Later we spotted this singing male. I liked this photo with the singing swamp sparrow blending into the cattails. Also, vocalizing were a couple of marsh wrens. All of these birds were the first of the season for me and the other trip participants.
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