Rouge River Bird Observatory 6 August 1996 Bird Update
- Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and 1 to 3 Least Sandpipers have
been spotted along the channelized banks of the Rouge River the last week
or so (thanks to Gary Hutman for monitoring this depressing stretch of
river).
- Dave Washington and Mike O'Leary first spotted a pair of mockingbirds
near Rotunda and Greenfield back in May, and saw them through 2 June. We
hoped to find a nest, but didn't hear from the mockers until July, when a
number of people reported hearing them sing during televised broadcasts of
the Senior Players Tournament at the nearby TPC golf course! Mike then re-
located an adult and juvenile in the original location on 3 August. This is
Dearborn's first nesting record for this species, which is still uncommon
as a breeder in Michigan.
- A colony of about 20 pairs of Bank Swallows was found in a large dirt
pile at Greenfield and Butler by Dave Washington. Wielding his influence
as a retired Dearborn cop, Dave convinced the city (who own the lot)
not to demolish the pile until the young had fledged.
- The Cooper's Hawk seen building a nest on campus in late May gave up,
but was seen for a few weeks after. In late July, one was seen in the area
again by Jim Fowler; this species may have also nested in the area.
- Two Turkey Vultures were also seen all summer long, often around Michigan Ave. and Evergreen. We think they may have nested in the steep, hilly
woodlot along the Fairlane Town Center drive.
- Two Willow Flycatchers were seen this summer by Jim Fowler in suitable
nesting habitat along the Rouge.
Bird banding starts again 15 August!
Julie Craves
Rouge River Bird Observatory
University of Michigan-Dearborn
jcraves@ca-f1.umd.umich.edu