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ALLEGAN STATE GAME AREA FIELD TRIP May 31, 1997
The last field trip of the season was spent in the Allegan State Game Area. Cal and Carolyn Pomarius led the group first to the open fields in the area and then finished up in the woods along Swan Creek. There was also a side trip to the Fennville wastewater area. A variety of birds were seen in the fields. Several Eastern Meadowlarks could be seen and heard singing. There were also many Bobolinks and Eastern Kingbirds seen. Ring-necked Pheasant was seen again this trip. Bank Swallows were observed nesting in the side of a hill; and a Bluebird and an Indigo Bunting were also seen perched in trees. Everyone got a good look at a Grasshopper Sparrow which decided to sit right in front of us and sing its song. An Upland Sandpiper was also seen in the first field we stopped at. The first warbler of the day, a Common Yellowthroat, was singing in a bush by the road. At another location, a Northern Harrier was seen flying in large circles over the field. Farther down the road, a Vesper Sparrow was observed. Other birds seen in this area included Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Willow and Great Crested Flycatcher, and a Downy Woodpecker. Next, we took a short trip to the Fennville wastewater ponds. Here a flock of Cedar Waxwings was observed dining in a tree. Tree and Barn Swallows were catching bugs over the ponds and a Spotted Sandpiper was casually walking along the shore. Several Green Herons were hanging out along the shore of the pond. A Yellow Warbler was also spotted here. The next stop was a heavily wooded area on a high ridge along the Swan Creek. The leaves made it more difficult to see birds, so this area was more of a lesson in bird songs. The '4teacher, teacher" of an Ovenbird was heard along with the "pee-a-wee" of an Eastern Wood-Pewee. A series of sharp chip notes indicated a Worm-eating Warbler was in the area. We all went over to the edge of the ridge and the bird was sighted singing in tree. The descending notes of the Veery, "zee, zee, see, zo, zee" of the Black-throated Green Warbler and "clue-beck" of the Least Flycatcher were also heard. Other birds heard were a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Louisiana Waterthrush, Wood Thrush and Yellow-throated Vireo. We did get a chance to see a Red-eyed Vireo and a Scarlet Tanager. Farther down the Swan Creek where it empties into a pond, we made our last birding stop. A Red-headed Woodpecker was seen in the trees in the pond and also a Kingfisher. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was yelling for "quick, three beers". Everyone got a good look at a pair of Prothonotary Warblers which were nesting in the hollow of a nearby tree. A blackbird whose identity eluded us also was nesting in a tree, but wouldn't come back out so we could get a better look at it. Also seen in this area were Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a Great Blue Heron and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. As we were leaving the area, a Great Horned Owl was seen flying through the woods. A grand total of 75 species of birds were seen or heard throughout the day. No trip to the Allegan area would be complete without a trip to Crane Orchards where we all sat and reflected over the sightings of the day and enjoyed a nice lunch. Submitted by Jan Maher
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