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.
The weather, birds and participants were great for our first Fall 2009 Bird Walk at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House on August 29th. Many of the birdwatchers were trying the hobby out for the first time and it is always a pleasure when we can help them discover the interesting world of birds.
Late August is the time of year that wood warblers are at their peak migration back to South America where they will live until spring. An active group of warblers kept our attention as they responded to pishing and screech owl imitation calls. Seven different species gave us glimpses of their fall plumage, a muted version of their glorious spring finery. While watching the warblers, we had the pleasure of a few hummingbirds that landed on the bare branches of the shrubs, giving us all a great view. Flycatchers frequent the area of the woods where the morning sun shines and warms the flying insects. A Great-Crested Flycatcher and two empidonax species of flycatcher sat on the bare branches of taller trees and sallied out after the flying insects.
Also feeding on the wing were a record number of chimney swifts, feeding above tree top level over the grounds. One of our frequent participants, Beth Ryon, noted that she didn’t ever recall seeing as many hummingbirds on any other walk. We saw at least a half dozen individual birds pop up and perch in the open, resting in between their feeding forays.
No trip of the Ford House grounds would be complete without stopping to smell the roses. We all acknowledged their beauty and watched a flock of robins feasting on the bounty of berries in the trees next to the Rose Garden.
Ford’s cove held some delightful surprises. An immature black-crowned night heron was stalking prey at the waters edge on the end of the peninsula. As we were watching it through the scope, a Great Blue Heron flew in and landed down the bank from us. Right after we had all seen the bird well enough, it flew and landed near the night heron, with a second Great Blue Heron joining in and creating a wonderful trio in flight as they all repositioned themselves at the shoreline.
On our way back toward the Activities Center, one of the regular participants asked “What’s that on the ground?” Thank goodness for observers like Pam Coloraffi – she had spotted a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk! We surmised that he was still perfecting his hunting techniques, had made an attempt to catch a squirrel, missed, and was recovering from his experience. The group was able to watch as he flew up into the lower branches of a tree and then take off over the meadow.
We tallied 44 species of birds as we enjoyed the breakfast sponsored by Pointe Vision, and those who joined us left with smiles on their faces. Another successful morning of bringing People and Nature together.
Enjoy Your Birds!
Rosann Kovalcik, Owner
Birds Tallied:
Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron Black-crowned Night Heron
Canada Goose Mute Swan
Mallard Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern Mourning Dove
Rock Dove Common Night Hawk
Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker Willow Flycatcher
Great-crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay
Purple Martin Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren American Robin
Gray Catbird European Starling
Nashville Warbler Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler Blackburnian Warbler
American Warbler Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
