We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
20485 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 881-1410
Fax: (313) 881-2008
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Comments:
Free parking available at rear of store.
We were delighted to welcome two middle school boys to our group of experienced participants on February 21st, the date of our Bird Walk. It is always exciting to share a first time adventure with newcomers to the world of birdwatching. We were able to complete the walk ahead of an incoming snow storm. However, the winds had shifted to the east overnight, and the ice on the lake was pushed to the shore so that any open water we had was distant.
Moments after two morning doves had quickly flown by us, we sighted an adult Cooper's hawk flying near the Activities Center. We managed to see it perched for a moment before it flew away. When we walked onto the peninsula, we were met by a family of four chickadees who were communicating between each other with contact calls. Other than these greeters, there were not any other birds in the trees. We were able to scope out a number of duck species that were in the available open water including common mergansers, common goldeneyes, canvasbacks and a greater black-backed gull.
As we left the peninsula, the hawk was seen again hunting through the woods adjacent to the parking lot. A few participants were lucky enough to see the bird swoop low and fly off with unidentified prey. Our walk in the gardens proved to be more fruitful for sighting birds as they also wanted to be sheltered from the incoming winds. It was there that we met up with our typical woodland species including cardinal, Carolina wren, another group of chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, blue jays and then a very co-operative pair of red-bellied woodpeckers. Both of them stayed long enough in one place for us to share scope views of their beautiful red heads, striped backs and large beaks.
A drumming downy woodpecker was heard, setting territory boundaries for the upcoming nesting season. Later, good views of the female were shared by the group. As we as approached the Center, we were fortunate to locate a pair of tufted titmice, some dark-eyed juncos and a golden-crowned kinglet that hovered at a plant as it searched for food.
Although the species total was only 22, it's always a pleasure to get out and enjoy the fresh air and winter birds as well as the company of like-minded individuals.
