Kensington Metropark, which straddles Oakland and Livingston Counties in southeast Michigan, is a birding wonderland. It’s not a red eBird hotspot, but the two major hotspots list a respectable 216 and 239 species. For me, Kensington has two major draws. First, the park allows hand feeding of songbirds, so I’ve found it best to go with a buddy to tag team feeding and taking photos. But even solo, I’ve worked out how to answer the irresistible begging calls and still take photos. Second, my personal highlight of any visit, especially in nonbreeding season, is the opportunity to see Sandhill Cranes.
I spend most of my time on the nature trails by the nature center and around Wildwing Lake, lower left.
In breeding season, the few Sandhill pairs that stick around are understandably more cautious and stay hidden in the cattails and phragmites. In fall and winter, they share the trails. Colts are always a thrill to see, and I was delighted to see two families with colts last week.
Family portrait, with the colt from the title photo flanked by the parents. Closer look.
More on the second Sandhill family later….
Ducks at Wildwing Lake, mostly Ring-billed, with a few Redheads mixed in. Closer
Some of the lakes at Kensington are formed by dams on the Huron River. They tend to be shallow and freeze once sustained cold weather hits. Meanwhile, they are an oasis for migrating waterfowl, especially dabblers and small divers. There’s usually good numbers of Ring-necked Ducks (I still catch myself calling them Ring-billed Ducks), which don’t stay for long.
This year I’ve also seen Wood Ducks, Redheads, Buffleheads, Hooded and Common Mergansers, Scaups, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, Blue-winged Teals and Wigeons. And of course, Mallards and Canada Geese.
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Gadwalls and Mallards. Bigger
Gadwall drake and hen.
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Wood Duck drake in eclipse at the Wildwing Lake boardwalk.
One of the reasons I’ve been going to Kensington lately is that I hadn’t seen a Pileated Woodpecker this year for the Backyard Bird Race. They are reported regularly around the nature center trails, along with another favorite of mine, the Red-headed Woodpecker. Last week I was especially lucky to see both.
A young hiker spotted the Pileated right next to the trail, and called me over.
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Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker flying onto a dead stump.
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Downy Woodpeckers are quite bold and will land on your hand if you offer birdseed. I’ve also had Red-bellied Woodpeckers land on my hand. I was thankful I had gloves on. Hairy Woodpeckers are much more wary and stay well off the trails in the trees.
At least two pairs of Red-tailed Hawks nest near the nature center. Ospreys nest in the park as well, and Bald Eagles are frequent visitors.
Fall is a good time to see migrating Trumpeter and Tundra Swans.
I heard the Trumpeter Swans before I saw them flying over.
Songbirds are a constant presence. Not all will come to your hand. Blue Jays will have none of it, but will follow you on the trail and comb the ground for dropped seeds. I always bring peanuts in the shell to throw (same ones I have for the Jays at home), and the Jays will catch them midair.
Sparrows will also follow hikers and check for spilled seed. I’ve never had one even look tempted to land in my hand.
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Two of the most visible and active songbirds are the Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse. Both are bundles of energy and personality. They often compete for birdseed, with the smaller Chickadee usually backing down. Hissing is common. Sometimes I offer birdseed in both hands, which usually restores the peace.
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I’ll end this Dawn Chorus with a sequence of stills from videos I took of the other Sandhill Crane family, with two colts. They were feeding in a seep along the trail. I kept getting buzzed by songbirds, so I offered them some seed while I videoed the Cranes.
Sandhill Crane family foraging along a seep. Bigger
White-breasted Nuthatch
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Black-capped Chickadee
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Another White-breasted Nuthatch
The Sandhill family finished up at the seep and moved towards me along the trail.
Sandhill Crane family coming towards me. One of the colts was bolder than the rest and led the pack. The trailing adult kept an eye out as the family moved and foraged.
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The colt stopped to forage next to me.
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Closeup of the colt foraging.
I was totally shocked when this colt turned and approached me. It was all I could do to not giggle.
It first pecked the ground next to my hiking boot, and then proceeded to tap the top. It wasn’t a hard tap, but I was still glad I was wearing boots. I slowly moved my foot back.
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After I moved my foot away, the colt stood up, briefly flapped its wings, and then moved past me down the trail. This seemed to signal the parents, who herded the second colt past me. These three Sandhills were much more cautious than the first colt, and moved quickly by.
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A human family had been behind me, watching the Sandhills. The dad wisely shielded the child and made room as the Crane family passed.
WHAT’S NEW IN YOUR BIRDY WORLD THIS WEEK?