Spring Migration 2012

Spring Migration 2012

This Spring has been busier than Most with Trips taking me to Southern Ohio's Shawnee National Forest, Day and weekend trips to various areas of Northern Ohio and a trip to Michigan's Upper peninsula within the Hiawatha National Forest where we encountered Forest Fires within 10 miles of where we were staying.

The focus has been songbirds, primarily warblers for the most part. As birds move through during Migration. The goal is to always catch them as they first come onto territory, At this time they are most responsive. Conditions were more difficult this year due to the early leaf out of the trees. Contrary to the leafing out the Warblers schedule for arrival remained the same.

Starting out in Southern Ohio's Shawnee National Forest. I was able to photograph, Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler and Black Billed Cuckoo's and Yellow Breasted Chat. Weather was less than Ideal with heavy overcast conditions morning and afternoon with only midday harsh light. but e tried to make the most of it.

A few images from the trip:

Prairie Warbler

Black Billed Cuckoo

Northern Parula

Yellow Breasted Chat

We then Focused on Northern Ohio specifically within the Cuyahoga Valley National Par, which I know pretty well. Here we spent much of our time after normal work hours and weekends chasing species locally.
We had good opportunities with, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Red Eyed, Warbling, and Yellow Throated Vireos. also, Indigo Bunting, Cereleun, Blue Winged, Ovenbird,Common Yellow-throats and Northern Rough winged swallows. as well as others.

Some Images from my Northern Ohio Travels:

 Orchard Oriole

 Warbling Vireo

 Northern Rough Winged Swallow

 Ovenbird

 Cereleun Warbler

 Indigo Bunting

 

 Red Winged Blackbird

 Blue Winged Warbler

 

Red Eyed Vireo

Baltimore Oriole

 Yellow Throated Vireo

  We finished up Spring Migration with a Trip to Upper Michigan's Upper Peninsula located in the Hiawatha National Forest, This trip was with good friend Matthew Studebaker and the focus was primarily warblers on Territory, We were especially happy to have an opportunity with a Connecticut Warbler. As well as many others. Here we encountered great weather the 4 days we were here.
A forest fire lingered 10 miles away and early on we had smoke filled skies throughout the day. but by day 3 and 4 all was fine as winds shifted and the threat of fire in our area was suspended.

Some Images from the trip:

Pine Warbler

 Cape May Warbler

 Chestnut Sided Warbler

 Connecticut Warbler

 Nashville Warbler

 Palm Warbler

 Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

Summer patterns are starting to set in and things will surely slow as most birds on territory are now nesting!, We hope to get out and chase species here locally so stay Tuned and Thanks for looking!