Saginaw Bay Birding & Trail
  • Home
  • SBA Recent Sightings
  • Recent Bird News - updated 4/30/20
  • Bird Videos
  • Bird Photo Gallery
  • Non-Bird Photos
  • Resources
    • Birding Links
    • Michigan Birds
    • Weather Conditions
    • SBA Lodging and Restaurants
    • Travel
  • Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
  • Birding Trail
  • Seasonal Surveys
  • Historical Photos
  • In Memorium: Joseph M. Soehnel

19-22 Sept 2019 -- Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens Birding Festival

4/4/2019

0 Comments

 
The Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens is very pleased to announce that it is holding a birding festival this coming 19-22 September, 2019 with events around Midland, speakers and informational sessions, field trips, workshops, and more!  
Click for more details!
0 Comments

Photography (and birding) Opportunity on Isle Royale!

1/4/2019

0 Comments

 
isle_royale_np_tour_2019.pdf
File Size: 1487 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

Oct 24, 2017 - Raving about Raptors

10/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Kathy Bricker covers the special adaptations of birds of prey along with information about their ecology, diversity, identification, population levels, migration, and conservation, interspersed with personal stories.  The program welcomes people to visit the research and observation sites near Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace, and to enjoy the annual April event in Mackinaw City, the Mackinac Raptor Fest.www.mackinacraptorwatch.org.



Saginaw Valley Audubon Society meets at:
 
Green Point Environmental Learning Center
3010 Maple Street, Saginaw
call 777-4787 for more information

​All meetings start at:  7:00 PM

Public welcome; refreshments served after program
no charge; memberships will be collected at meeting
0 Comments

Saginaw Valley Audubon News Update...

4/19/2017

0 Comments

 
April 25, 2017 Getting it Right with Warbler Identification
 
It's that time of year when warblers will be migrating north again. Roger Erikkson will show a series of his photographs that detail the key field markings for most of the 37 warbler species that nest or migrate through Michigan. These photos will include male, female and juveniles in their spring and fall plumages. Come ready to learn new identification tips.
Where: at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple street, Saginaw
When: 7:00pm
Who: public is invited; refreshments after the meeting


Duck Stamps - Allan Theile sent along this link to learn about duck stamps you can purchase and how the money is used to buy land for national wildlife refuges.
https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/duck-stamp-dollars-at-work.php

----------------------------------------------------------------

2017 Saginaw Bay Nature Festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pinconning and Standish and Northwoods Wholesale Outlet- schedule of events:

Thu April 20  12 noon public program by Michael Stoner: Selections form Pinconning Journal "Birding Bits" articles - at Pinconning High School Media Center.

Thu April 27  12 noon public program by Dale Borske: Ducks Unlimited's Role in Preserving, Enhancing, and Protecting Wetlands in the Saginaw Bay Region - at Pinconning High School Media Center.

Thu April 27  3pm  Tours of Pinconning and Standish Nature Preserves by Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy staff - meet at preserve entrance on Pinconning & Maloney Roads.

Wed May 3  9am - Tour of Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area by Ducks Unlimited and DNR staff - meet at DNR office on Tower Beach & Kitchen Roads.

Thu May 4  12 noon - public program by Sam Burkhardt: Saginaw Bay Birding Opportunities through the eyes of a newcomer - at Pinconning High School Media Center.

Mon May 8  8am - morning walking tour of Pinconning County Park by birder Joe Soehnel - meet at park gazebo, end of Pinconning Road, $3 entry fee.

Tue May 9  6:45pm - evening walking tour of Pinconning County Park by Rotary Club members - meet at park gazebo, end of Pinconning Road, $3 entry fee.

Thu May 11  12noon - public program by Anne Trahan: Wildlife Photography - at 
Pinconning High School Media Center.
​
Sat May 13  5:30pm  Nature Festival Banquet at Saganing Chippewa Indian Tribal Center, Standish
0 Comments

SBA Winter Bird Survey - Dec' 2016 thru Feb' 2017

3/18/2017

0 Comments

 
Survey Compiled by:  David Peters, Shiawassee NWR Staff
Summary: A total of 121 species from the Michigan Bird List were reported this winter. While below last winter’s all time record, this number is still above the long-term average, the fourteenth consecutive year that this has occurred. This report lists all of the species reported, along with the highest reported individual count for each, and a list of the SBA counties in which each was noted. The species order of listing has changed this period, so as to remain consistent with the MBRC Michigan Checklist, which was updated 26 Nov 2016, based upon the AOU Check -list of North American Birds (7th ed.) and its supplements. Overall, observer coverage could be rated as average, and sufficient in terms of county and species representation. Winter may be the season with prevailing bird life most routinely influenced by weather. Overall, winter 2016-2017 temperatures were much above average in Michigan (7th warmest out of 122 years). As the National Weather Service daily plots for Saginaw at the tail end of this report illustrate, December started out above average before dropping to below mid-month, then rebounded to middle / middle high. January’s temps went through several of the radical bounces to the extreme. February’s average temperature was much above normal, (it was the 2nd highest average February for the U.S. as a whole, at 41.16F, eclipsed only by February 1930, at 41.41F, (but note that 2017 was only 5 degrees above trend, whereas 1930 was 7.5 degrees above trend). While above average February temperatures didn’t noticeably influence all species, it did account for widespread early arrival of waterfowl and blackbirds to the SBA, as well as two new SBA spring early arrival dates. Seasonal snowfall totals for Saginaw were below average, but the precipitation story doesn’t end there, because there was an above average amount of rain, (indeed more days of rain than of snow). 

Click HERE to view complete report!
0 Comments

Saginaw Valley Audubon Meeting - March 28th

3/13/2017

0 Comments

 
March 28, 2017 
Current Projects at your National Wildlife Refuge 
7:00pm
Meeting at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, Saginaw, MI.
 
The Great Lakes Region's largest wetland restoration in 70 years is taking place at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County.  Join Visitor Services Manager, Lionel D. Grant as he enlightens you on the path the Refuge has taken to convert over 700 acres of former farmland into suitable waterfowl habitat.  Shiawassee Refuge is also working on turning the former Germania golf course into another natural space that can be enjoyed by the community, adjacent to Green Point ELC.    


Refreshments and meeting announcements follow the presentation.  For more information contact Larry at 989-777-4787.
0 Comments

Joe Soehnel

9/5/2016

1 Comment

 
Roger Eriksson has taken the time to code all areas of Tuttle Marsh.  This is a very large and vibrant marsh in Iosco County that has had 229 species observed over the years, according to eBird.  The best species, by far, was a Purple Gallinule found there on two separate years, 2010 & 2014.  Tri Colored Heron and Whimbrel have been observed there in the past week (Labor Day weekend 2016).

Please consider using this coded map when reporting uncommon birds at Tuttle Marsh.  This will clearly help birders track down the next uncommon bird that will surely be found at Tuttle Marsh.

Thanks, Roger, for this coded map!!
Picture
1 Comment

SBA Summer Bird Survey - Compiled by:  David Peters

8/15/2016

0 Comments

 
A total of 189 species from the Michigan Bird List were reported in the Saginaw Bay Area this summer. This falls short of the last two summer’s unusually high totals, but it is still above the long term average for the season. This report lists each of the species reported, along with the highest reported individual count(s) for each, and a list of the SBA counties in which each was noted.

Last departure dates and first arrival dates are listed for species that aren’t present during the breeding season. As is typical for the season, the total number of observers and observer trips was on the low side. Arenac County was comparatively under-represented. Only one Michigan Review List species was reported. One new SBA peak count was established.

June temperatures were seldom above or below the mean deviation. July was similar, but a bit more often above average. The later half of July was notable for lack of precipitation.

​Click here for complete survey!
0 Comments

Chestnut Hill Chimney Swifts Observations                 by Allan Thiele

8/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Chimney Swifts at Chestnut Hill Elementary School, 3900 Chestnut Hill Drive, Midland MI 48642.


July 28, 2016. At least 100+ birds. Very hard to count in the dim light with them circling.
  • Saw the first pair of swifts arrive in the area at 9:01.
  • 20+ at 9:05
  • 30+ at 9:10
  • By 9:12 they were starting to stay near the chimney
  • 50+ at 9:12
  • First bird into the chimney at 9:13-just a single (probably wants to get the perfect perch)
  • By 9:19 lots of birds making fakes toward the chimney but veering off rather than going in.
  • At 9:21 a few more went in.
  • At 9:23 came the big dump-all the birds went in-or almost all.
  • 9:24 three birds in.
  • 9:25 one bird in and I could not hear or see any more. 
  • Waited a few minutes and saw no more.

August 5, 2016. At least 100+ birds

Instead of one big dump with a few stragglers, there was a big flock into the chimney and then about 1/4 of them came in over the next 5 minutes.

Arrived at 9:10-birds were flying in circles over and around the chimney. 
  • 9:14- the bulk of the swifts dived into the chimney at least 100 birds
  • 9:15- a dozen more entered
  • 9:16- ten more
  • 9:17- three more
  • 9:18- seven more
  • 9:19- three more
  • 9:20- one entered
  • 9:21- one entered

August 6, 2016

Staked out the school at 5:00 AM. Had a long wait.Had been there at 6:00 AM July 29th and saw no birds so I moved it up an hour.
  • 6:40-   8 birds left the chimney
  • 6:42- 44 left
  • 6:43- 43 left
  • 6:44- 40 left
  • 6:45-   5 left       TOTAL= 140
Waited 10 minutes but saw no more birds.  As they left they immediately left the area, no clouds of birds like the arrival.
Left two or tree at a time. Easy to count, unlike their arrival in one massive dump. I may have missed a few because they come out of the chimney, drop over the lip and glide away. A few might have sneaked by on the back side of the chimney.
0 Comments

SBA Spring Bird Survey - 2016 - By:  David Peters

6/17/2016

0 Comments

 
​Winter ignored the calendar as March began, issuing a major snow event on the first full night of March. Another decent snow occurred later in the month, along with some rain, but from mid-April on there was no more snowfall, and indeed, lower than average rainfall. March temperatures were milder than average, but April and May were near average.

A total of 262 species from the Michigan Bird List were reported in the Saginaw Bay Area this spring, the third highest total since the Birds in the SBA compilation was initiated. This report lists each of these species, along with the highest reported individual count(s) for each, and a list of the SBA counties in which each was noted. First dates are listed for species not recorded in the preceding February, and last dates for (most of) the species that don’t remain into the summer.

An impressive number of six new SBA all-time peak counts were established. Equally impressive were the six new spring high counts. There was one new record spring early date, and one new record spring late date. One first time ever in the SBA record was reported, as were first time records for Arenac County, Saginaw, and Tuscola Counties. Rounding out the list of notables is the seven Michigan Review List species were reported.

Fish Point State Wildlife Area in Tuscola County, and Tawas Point State Park in Iosco County played a significant role in SBA birdlife this spring, accounting for many of the before mentioned records. 

Click here for full report!
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    October 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.