Fall Migrants in Wayne Co. - 12 Oct 2024
A sunny but breezy morning greeted me as I arrived at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge at 9 am. I ran into Brian Beauchene and walked the short loop trail at the Humbug Marsh Unit. A late Marsh Wren was a treat; it came close several times in the sedges next to the boardwalk but failed to show itself for more than a second or two. Ruby-crowned Kinglets have arrived and were seen along the trails. Our first flocks of Rusty Blackbirds made appearances. We counted 18 in one flock atop the dead trees in the middle of the unit. A Golden-crowned Kinglet pair appeared but moved so fast that it was impossible to get a sharp image of their yellow-striped cap. I saw what I thought was a Hairy Woodpecker, but upon closer inspection turned out to be a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ! Lighting was poor but I managed a few photos as it foraged in the backlit trees high above us. A north wind was blowing so we agreed that we should head over to Lake Erie Metropark to check out the Det
