4/20/13 Hand Bird Feeding @ Kensington

We will be doing what is becoming an annual Hike around Wildwing lake at Kensington Metro Park Nature Trails, this Saturday, 4/20/13 at 12 Noon. We will be meeting at the Nature Center where the Trail begins and ends.

There is alot to see and do along this 2 mile Trail. near the beginning of the Trail, in the woods on the western side of the Lake, hides the infamous White Squirrel. He has been spotted a number of times there. We hope to get some pictures of this guys on our Hike.

As we move down the Trail, there are a number of stops where Hand feeding the local Birds have become an easy thing, and something you will not soon forget. There is something very unique and special in hand feeding wild birds out on the Trails. The Nature Center sells seeds for this purpose, and we will have some on hand for the Hikers. Peanut halves, black oiler sunflower and safflower are commonly used. The black oiler sunflower seeds and peanut halves are winners with the birds.

As we make our way around the Lake we will come across the Osprey Hacking Tower and Fishing/Nesting platforms in the Lake. The Ospreys have just started to return to the area from their wintering grounds.

Further up the Trails and we will see the Heron Island. With approximately 10 nests, these Great Blue Herons have found a safe home on this small island out in the Lake. Herons started returning to S.E.Michigan in March, so most of the nests should have mating pairs of Herons sitting on nests.

Come on out and join us for this Bird packed Hike at Kensington. It is always a great time Hand Feeding wild birds and there is so much more to see and do as well. Hope to see you all there on Saturday. Everyone is welcome to join in. 🙂

DOWNLOAD A FLYER FOR THIS HIKE WITH MORE DETAILS

DOWNLOAD A PARK MAP WITH THE TRAILS AND FEATURES INDICATED HERE:

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Excellent Heron Hike 3/23/13

Our 7th annual Ashok Heron Hike was a great time. We had over 60 people show up, and filled the parking lot. 🙂 It was one of those Hikes. A Hike where we had many different kinds of people with many different expertise. This made for some great conversations along the way.

There where a number of discussions about the Herons and how they act, mate and what happens at the Heronry during the year as the youngsters are being cared for. We had an experience that showed just how skiddish these beautiful Birds can be. As a group of about 30 of us approached the second viewing area that overlooked what is now the rear Heronry, every Heron on a nest fly up together. The circled for a bit and then returned. It was obvious that this commotion was to much for these fresh nesting birds and they all left their nest.

This example of how delicate this whole area is, was very apparent to all the Hikers. Having anything else going on at Holland Ponds would definitely disrupt this special place and possibly stop the growth of what is the largest Great Blue Heron nesting site in Southeastern Michigan.

Some natural places need to remain just that. NATURAL. No reason to build anything else at this Park. No reason to expand things or add to the possibilities that even more commotion would scare or disrupt this growing nesting site in Shelby Twp. The wonders and beauties of this place IS what this Park is all about.

Through in the Historical aspects the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal, that runs down the center of the Park, and what a great place to stroll with the family at any time. Herons, Egrets, Ducks and many different Birds of all kinds. Owls and Raptors of all sorts, nest and hunt at the Park. Later in the Spring, the wildflowers are everywhere.

We had excellent weather for the Hike. Even some sun peaking out from time to time. Afterwards some of the Hikers headed over to the Nature Center at River Bends Park, just down the road. Shabush is a beautiful Center with some wonderful displays and well versed staff.

Ashok Heron Hike Reviewed

For the last 6 years Hiking Michigan has had a Hike scheduled at Holland Ponds, the largest Great Blue nesting site in Southeastern Michigan. We continued that tradition this last Saturday, 5/12/12.

A wonderful turn-out for this annual Hike. Filled the parking lot once again. 🙂 The Group headed over to the Heronry viewing area, where the Shadbush Nature Center had viewing scoped set up for a better view of the nests. Almost every nest had youngsters in them, which means most of the eggs have already hatched. That is very early for the Heronry. But the weather has been very strange too.

From the Heronry, Park naturalist Dan Farmer led the group on a lovely nature Hike around the Park. The group examined some of the Bluebird nests and eggs, watched the soft-shelled turtles and looked at various plants and flowers around the Park.

Some of the visitors to the Park this day, road the Hay-Wagon comfortably around the Park as well. Afterwards, back at the Shadbush Nature Center, there was a RAPTORS Program. Great-horned Owls, and a Eagle where there for everyone to get a close look at. Naturalists discussed these critters and answered questions.

To close off the day, a Campfire dinner was supplied by the Nature Center, our behind the Center at their Campfire ring. It was an excellent way to close off a wonderful day at Holland Ponds and our visit to the Great Blue Herons nesting site.

We recommend that you stop in at the Park, anytime, and watch the young herons grow, test their wings and eventually fledge the nests. It is a wonderful experience to watch this happen over the next few months. Holland Ponds Park is located just north of 22 Mile rd. on Ryan rd. in Shelby Twp.,MI. Macomb county.

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5/12/12 HERON Hike/Festival

For the past 6 years now, we have scheduled a Hike at the Largest Great Blue Heron nesting site in S.E. Michigan, Holland Ponds Park. The original Hike was a suggestion from longtime member Ashok, and the Hike still holds his name.

So this Saturday, 5/12/12, 12pm-2pm at Holland Ponds Park, we will be doing our Ashok Heron Hike. We meet in the parking area off of Ryan rd., just north of 22 mile rd. in Shelby Twp.

The Park is small, but our main purpose is to show you all this one of a kind place. We will take a short Hike to the Heronry and enjoy watching the Herons on their nests. Their are 39 active nests there, and I am sure many of you will return to watch the youngsters as they grow, emerge to the edge of the nests, test their wings and eventually fledge the nests, to hopefully return next year and start their own families.

Since this will be a short Hike, some of you may want to catch the Shadbush Nature Center’s Heron Fest/Spring Celebrations taking place at both the Park and back at the Nature Center, located in River Bends Park, just up Ryan rd. from Holland ponds. We have included the Nature Centers agenda for the day as well as the Ashok heron Hike details, so you can make an afternoon of it, if you desired.

This is an amazing, and unique place, that IS the largest Great Blue Heronry in S.E. Michigan. Come on our and take a look. We will also have colored Park Maps for all in attendance.

You can download a Flyer with more details for both gatherings here:  ASHOK HERON FESTIVAL & SHADBUSH SPRING FEST

Heron’s Nest Rescue

Our intentions where to recover the fallen Heron’s nest and bring it back to the Shadbush Nature Center and make a learning display from it. It is a rarity to be able to examine, yet alone set up a Heron’s nest for others to see. It would not be so in this case.

A Great Blue Heron’s nest had fallen from about 80′ up in one of the nesting trees at the Heronry at Holland Ponds park. It would have disintegrated upon hitting the ground, except for a small tree which caught the nest about 10′ off the ground. A very unique accurance and an opportunity to study and possibly display this nest for others to learn from.

After we had retrieved the nest from the 10′ tree, we discovered many things that would make displaying this nest at the Nature Center, impossible. First…..the nest was covered in mold and Heron droppings. Not a little bit….but COVERED. In fact, the whiteness of the video below is not incorrect “white-balance” on the camera, but rather just how covered the nest was in white excrement.

Secondly, we discovered that the herons are not the greatest nest builders. Rather then interweaving the branches and twigs that form the nest, the female just kinda laid each twig, on-top one another. Examining the nest on the ground, it disintegrated before our eyes as we just lightly touched areas of the nest.

Even though we where not able to bring the nest back to the Nature Center, we did learn so very much about these birds and nests. Not all pretty stuff, but a very unique information that was not obtainable in to many places.

HERON Nests Counting 2011

Since the Great Blue Herons have all left the Heronry at Holland Ponds Park, it was safe to enter these two Heronrys and count the nests. The park has two separate Heronrys. The front Heronry is the oldest, dating back about 10 years now. We counted 21 remaining nests there. Two trees where blown down from high winds and storms and this front Heronry lost some 8 nests this season.

The newer rear Heronry, only in existence for the last three years, has grown tremendously. This years count was 18 nest. 7 of those nests where just built this last season. There are plenty of secluded and private trees in this rear Heronry, and we expect this area to become the main Heronry over the next couple of years.

With a total of 39 solid nests waiting for the Herons return in 2012, we expect a banner season for the entire Heronry.

A NOTE:  These heronys are restricted areas. Especially when the Herons are on the nests. They spook very easily and this can destroy an entire heronry. I got permission to count the nests at Holland Ponds, in advance, and only during this period of time when ALL the Herons had left for the season.

FALL Colors Tour…..& Cider

With the Fall colors quickly coming upon us, I thought it would be good to post a few S.E.MI. parks that I have found to produce pretty consistent, fabulous Fall colors. There are of course, so many places to enjoy the beautiful Fall season in Michigan, but over the many years of searching out some of the best local Colors, there are some places that stand out.

Best S.E.MI. Fall Colors Tour Parks

A great way to enjoy that taste of Fall is at one of the few remianing Cider Mills left in S.E.Michigan. Yates Cider Mill has been around since the late 1800s and still produces fresh made Cider at their Mill on Dequindre rd. and 23 mile rd. The only problem with the Mill area, is that it gets a little congested since the roads have all remained single lane, twisting roads. This can make for some traffic problems there.

An excellent way to avoid this, is to visit Holland Ponds Park, located on Ryan rd. and 22 mile rd. Yep…..that’s where the largest Heron Rookery is located. (Sorry, the Herons have left for the year) But the park is still a very Cool place, with NO congestion and plenty of availble parking. Not many people know that at the back of the Park, there is a trail that follows the river all the way to Yates Cider Mill.

So….with no traffic problems, and a beautiful Hike along the river, one can enjoy a lovely Fall afternoon Hiking to get Cider, take a break at the Mill and leave the congestion behind.

Get a map of thr route from Holland Ponds Park to Yates Cider Mill:

2011 Holland Ponds HERONRY Report

Well, the last of the chicks have fledged and all the Herons have been gone from the Heronry located at Holland Ponds, Shelby Twp. Park. We followed the Heronry very closely this year, and even filmed one specific nest through the entire season. The video for that will be out shortly. Until then, read about the details of the Heronry for 2011.

Holland Ponds Heronry Report 2011

 

Young Herons getting BIG

This years batch of youngsters are now almost as large as the adults. Each of the 37 active nests at Holland Ponds Park, started out with 3-4 youngsters per nest. They are down to 2-3 youngsters per nest. These should make it to fledging.

The young Herons are practicing their flying and fishing techniques as they wait for Mom or Dad to return about every hour with more muscle building food. This is a great time to watch the Heronry at the Park.

Get a map of the park here:  HOLLAND PONDS 

 

 

 

Dr. BOB Birding notes

We never know what we will get at Holland Ponds (Shelby Twp., Macomb County). Today it was the fishing Green Heron (my FOY) that really caught our attention. Lots of pics! (… later …)

I also saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler – my first there and for my Macomb County list, and I think for my Michigan lists. Yes, Allen – I was using binocs; I could never have even seen it – or especially shot it – with my “old way” of “camera first”.  After having great views at Magee Marsh (even a pic or two) this year, I know it well. It is truly a memorable bird! I think it is maybe my favorite warbler!

Whee! FOY Green Heron and fantastic warbler! Great day!

Notes: We met a photographer who kept ducking into the newly cleared “holes” in the Phragmites along the main park road (thanks Dan Farmer and Shadbush for clearing holes???) Now if we could only get rid of the rest of the Phragmites…! After sharing tales and minor bonding, the photographer shared some pics he took two days ago. He had shot a Horned Grebe (crest up and gorgeous!) and 12 little “greblings” – fantastic pics! Neither he nor we relocated them. But the “kids” were obviously young – maybe a first swim? How long does it take for them to fly? I suspect they want to be hidden until they are able to fend for themselves. WOW!

We met another guy – just walking, no optics – who told tales of sighting a Bald Eagle over Pontiac recently. He said he had been told there was a pair nesting on the buildings in downtown Pontiac. He also said that a Bobcat had been sighted at Holland Ponds. (Shush! Do not pass along … believe what you will…) I am not sure what else he might have told us – I went back to shooting the Green Heron.

We also met our friend John who had spent much of the day photographing a Green Frog. He had great pics of all stages of throat-swelling during the process to make the recognizable “boing” sound. So cool – this guy is patient!

The Red – Winged Blackbird nest that Judy so admired (and actually the reason we had to go today to check progress) just off the dock on Waterfowl Pond (I reported this before) had been brought down by the recent storms and lay in the pond below. Now it was just a soggy bunch of tangled weeds. Judy asked if she (the RWBB momma) would be sad.

I offered that birds work more on instincts than feelings. If eggs are there, sit on them. If you have no eggs, make some. Try again. Yes, it was sad. We had been so hopeful to watch the entire nesting, hatching, feeding, etc. so close to view.

The lightly-anchored nest was obviously vulnerable to the recent strong winds and rain. It was lucky for us to observe it then, there. It was the first time we actually saw one – especially with eggs! Normally they are deeper in the Phragmites along the shore and hidden from view. We just hear the sounds.  From my earlier PBase pic y’all could see it was not such a firm foundation. Sad. That’s life- and it goes on…  We had the blessing to see it as potential.

 Anyway, three points:

1)      Warblers are around still – remember that a few days ago I had a Blackpoll at Holland Ponds as well.

2)      If you visit Holland Ponds soon, be especially aware of the small ponds in the Phragmites to the north of the “main road” for the Horned Grebe and “greblings”. Please give me a shout if you see them!

3)      It is probably a good time to get Green Herons there. Look for something that looks like a branch on a log in the water. Unless they move, you might miss them. Some fish do miss heron recognition!

And, sure – for granted – check out the nesting Great Blue Herons! What fun! Where else can you see so many!

“Dr. Bob” Setzer

Streamwood Estates, Rochester Hills (Crooks & Hamlin), Oakland County

“Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day.”   Teaching a man to “bird” is much harder!

Stop in at Dr. Bob’s Blog at:  Dr. Bobs Bird Blog