Dillman's Bay Resort, Vilas Co., WI - 31 May 2026

Robin and I left Garden, MI shortly after 6 am and drove into Escanaba for breakfast, a Biggby, and then headed N and W into Wisconsin and Lac du Flambeau where we would stay at Dillman's Bay Resort for the week. The drive was pleasant and the only stops were had to make were for a pair of Wild Turkey that flew across the windshield of the car ahead of us. Otherwise highlights included a Broad-winged Hawk and Robin's first Pileated Woodpecker (fly-over).

We arrived at Dillman's shortly after 10 am and found that the lobby was temporarily closed due to the owner (Denny) being hospitalized for an injury and his wife/daughter going to visit him. So Robin decided to knit while I walk around the resort and road looking for birds.

A Least Flycatcher was calling loudly from the edge of the road entering the resort so I walked over and managed to find it flycatching and singing just inside the tall cedars and maples.

Nearby a Chestnut-sided Warbler was singing loudly, and I managed to find it tucked into a poplar tree singing away. I'd have more great photos if not for that one leaf that kept blowing in front of the bird everytime I pressed the shutter.

Red-eyed Vireos, Chipping Sparrows and Pine Warblers were also making their presence known. I'd also pick up Nashville Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler before returning to the lodge.

It was after 11 am and noone was back so we decided to run into town for some lunch.

13284 Dillman's Way, Lac Du Flambeau US-WI (46.0045,-89.8442), Vilas, Wisconsin, US
May 31, 2026 10:47 AM - 11:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.161 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Clear, breezy, 55F
13 species

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla)  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  1
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S350264772

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

After lunch we returned to Dillman's Resort and checked-in. Our cabin (10A) overlooks the lake and gives us wonderful views through the trees. An empty bird feeder next to our picture window was filled and seed was scattered on the ground; I'm going to be here all week so it'll be interesting what shows up?

Skies were clear and it was pushing 70ºF so I decided to walk the road and look for more birds. 

Things were quieter this morning but the Least Flycatcher and Red-eyed Vireo were still singing. Otherwise, nothing.

I walked a trail next to the old bog next to the road and came upon a Common Raven roost. Wow, talk about loud! I managed to get some fly-overs and several flew into roost and croak loudly at everything that moved.

American Crow harassing a Common Raven

I'd find a Savannah Sparrow but couldn't get pics through the pine branches where it was foraging so I settled on a nearby skimmer dragonfly. 

I walked down the road and came upon a singing Red-eyed Vireo and another Chestnut-sided Warbler but could see neither. A Hairy Woodpecker flew in and fed several calling hatchlings before flying off. 

I'd head back to the cabin and pick up Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, and American Redstart. A Broad-winged Hawk was seen flying across the road ahead of me.

13284 Dillman's Way, Lac Du Flambeau US-WI (46.0045,-89.8442), Vilas, Wisconsin, US
May 31, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:12 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.867 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Sunny, 75F, light breeze. Dillman’s Resort and road.
21 species

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)  3     Nest w 2-3 hatchlings. Adult bringing food.
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)  2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S350447948

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

We'd take a short nap before heading to the lodge for a pre-workshop meetup and dinner.

I'd come home to find the Chipmunks foraging below the cabin window for the seed I threw out. Some activity, at last!