Return of the King(lets) - 04 Oct 2026

Elizabeth Park was slow. I did manage to see this FOS Hermit Thrush fly into view just as Merlin ID'd one based on call. ISO 64,000 meant low light...

I did not linger. Warblers were absent so I decided to run down to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. 

Elizabeth Park (Trenton), Wayne, Michigan, US
Oct 4, 2026 8:33 AM - 8:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.469 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Pt clear, cool, 48F, sprinkling.
6 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  70
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  13
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S399052336

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

While driving into the refuge Merlin picked up American Pipit. I didn't hear it, and questioned its authenticity. I did not pick it up, again.

Parking at the Visitor Center I walked into the short loop trail. A flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers were foraging high in the canopy but too far for photos.

The boardwalk area was quiet except for a pair of Swamp Sparrows chipping away in the phragmites lining the Monguagon Delta, I scanned the mudflats for possible American Pipits but came up empty.

Returning to the west trail I ran into a sizable flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers that were a challenge to photograph given the low light and constant movement.

A pair of Brown Creepers popped into view but were equally difficult to photograph.

As I continued on I spotted my FOS Golden-crowned Kinglets. Wow, I wish they'd slow down...

This one enjoyed playing w/ this particular branch. 

White-breasted Nuthatch.

Near the drain a flock of White-throated Sparrows moved quickly through the brush.

A juvenile.

A surprise Blackpoll Warbler popped into view!

As did this Ovenbird that perched for almost a minute behind a clump of branches that made it impossible for the camera to penetrate (100 out-of-focus bird pics and 100 sharp branches).

Detroit River IWR--Refuge Gateway (Humbug Marsh), Wayne, Michigan, US
Oct 4, 2026 9:01 AM - 9:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.833 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Pt cloudy, 51F, calm
19 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  6
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  2
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  24
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  4
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  1
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  20

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S399083481
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)