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.
Please call (313) 884-4222 to sign up as there is a maximum of 30 participants.
The October 24th Bird Walk at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House was a good example of fall migration, to the delight of the birders that attended. Our group of 30 attendees included experienced as well as first time birdwatchers.
The first bird of the morning was a Red-tailed Hawk which was spotted by one of the participants. This gave us an opportunity to review field marks and flight characteristics as the bird tacked into the wind, soaring in place for an appreciable amount of time.
Flight characteristics and behavior became a learning tool that we applied to several species encountered during the walk. The hover-gleaning of tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglets, the upward spiral feeding of the Brown Creeper, and the slow lowering of the raised tail of a Hermit Thrush were observed by the birdwatchers.
By far our best comparison opportunity came when a pair of Red-tailed Hawks came into view over the field and were joined by a Cooper’s Hawk. The longer tail and shorter, more tapered wings of the accipiter as well as the overall smaller size were apparent as the Cooper’s soared along with the pair of buteos.
The most numerous fall migrant of the day was Yellow-rumped Warbler, which was moving through in small groups that we found everywhere from the Activity Center to the shoreline. We were fortunate that participant Bill Rapai found the uncommon Winter Wren in the Rose Garden as well as at the edge of the pond. Our best look at a bird that day was the scope views that everyone had of Red-bellied Woodpecker, who sat obligingly for a good length of time. The glowing red-orange color of his head feathers, the sharply pointed tail feathers, large beak and beautifully patterned back were all seen exceptionally well by the group.
With co-operative weather, happy participants and co-operative birds, the leisurely fall morning was a great way to bring People and Nature together.
Enjoy Your Birds!
Rosann Kovalcik, Owner
Species List October 24, 2009, 8:00 a.m.
Double-crested Cormorant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped warbler
Palm Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
