Migrants @ DRIWR/LEMP - 16 Sep 2021

Weather conditions were ripe for a flight of Broad-winged Hawks at the Detroit River Hawk Watch today, so I took the day off to see if my forecast was true. Skies were clearing and winds were moving from the NE. They'd be calm in the morning and gradually pick up velocity in the afternoon. I got an early start and headed to the Humbug Marsh Unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge to look for warblers before heading to the hawk count.

The short loop trail behind the Visitor's Center was quiet with only a pair of Northern Cardinals moving through the brush. I ran into Amber Piotter and we walked the west side of the loop to look for warblers. Nothing.

It wasn't until we reached the north end of trail and walked west toward the ponds that we saw a nice mixed flock of warblers. Canada Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and several Blackpoll Warblers. This Northern Parula gave very brief looks.

And, as quickly as they appeared, they disappeared. So, I headed over to Lake Erie Metropark to walk the Marshland Museum trails. It was only 8:40 am and I didn't expect the Broad-wings to begin flying until ~10 am.

Detroit River IWR--Refuge Gateway (Humbug Marsh), Wayne, Michigan, US
Sep 16, 2021 8:00 AM - 8:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
5 species

Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)  1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  3
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159743196

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

The west side of the trail loop was fairly quiet until I reached the north end. Once again, a Blackburnian Warbler appeared overhead but refused to provide any pics. Blackpoll Warblers were similarly shy.

I found a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher sunning itself overhead and was able to get a few pics. The overall yellow wash was a nice contrast to the Least Flycatcher I'd see just a few minutes later on the east side.

A Black-and-White Warbler made a brief appearance.

The east side of the trail was a bit more active, and as the winds started to pick up the birds came a little lower from the canopy. Great-crested Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll, and Bay-breasted Warbler. A pair of Magnolia Warblers came down to eye level and provided a few moments in nice light.

The Magnolia Warbler appeared to freeze in front of me when I raised the camera a few feet away. While reviewing the 100 or so images I noticed the spider dangling in front of it. Frame after frame showed the spider spinning in the air as the motionless warbler pondered its next meal. The last frame I took showed the warbler sans spider. Poor little guy.

Farther out in the clearing a bright eye-ring caught my eye, and for a moment I was hoping for Connecticut Warbler. But, when the bird reappeared as a Blue-headed Vireo I was equally as happy. The stinkbug? Not so much.

Another Magnolia Warbler. 

I headed over to the boat launch to check on the Detroit River Hawk Watch (see next post) as it was 9:30 am. The woods behind the parking lot were quiet. Only a Red-eyed Vireo made an appearance.

With the hawks not appearing yet I walked the lakeside trail and ran into Jan Palland. We chatted a bit before heading back to the count. Wood Ducks were roosting out in the pond on the west side of the bridge and the good light made it photo-worthy moment for both of us.

Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne, Michigan, US
Sep 16, 2021 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
12 species

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  18
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)  4
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)  1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  5

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159743635

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

I ran out to have lunch with Robin and then returned in the afternoon. Once again I walked the trails behind the Marshland Museum before heading back to hawk watch. With the Sun high overhead I walked with purpose and only stopped when the birds appeared. And appear they did, in the form of Black-throated Blue (note white wing spot) and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

I followed the Yellow-rump directly into the path of a very chatty Swainson's Thrush that was singing away in the mid-day underbrush.

A Nashville Warbler appeared along the channel at the north end of the trail and briefly showed its yellow throat.

This Eastern Phoebe was much closer and more cooperative. Lighting was a challenge, however.

I'd then head back to hawk watch just in time for a 5-minute lull in action before going to Elizabeth Park for the afternoon.

BTW, today's photoshoot was 4200 images and 168 GB strong. I have a problem...

Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne, Michigan, US
Sep 16, 2021 1:30 PM - 2:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
5 species

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)  1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S159743792

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)