Backyard Birding

Having recently purchased a new home near Buchanan, Michigan, I was anxious to scope out the birdlife in my new backyard. That opportunity came earlier this month when I spent my first weekend there January 4-7. Situated as it is on the shores of Crescent Lake and surrounded by an abundance of natural habitats, I am excited about the possibility of a robust yard list. The first task of the weekend was to set up a variety of seed and suet feeders, which were mostly in place by Saturday.

January 4th brought two species to the yard: Dark-eyed Junco (#1) and Northern Cardinal (#2). The next day brought five new species: Canada Goose in flight over the lake (#3), Ring-billed Gull over the lake enroute to the Southeast Berrien County Sanitary Landfill (#4), Blue Jay (#5), American Goldfinch (#6), and American Crow (#7). On Sunday the 6th, six new species were recorded (all at the feeders): Black-capped Chickadee (#8), Tufted Titmouse (#9), American Tree Sparrow (#10), House Finch (#11), Red-breasted Nuthatch (#12), and Pine Siskin (#13). Great Blue Heron (#14), Downy Woodpecker (#15), and Cooper’s Hawk (#16) were seen in/from the yard on the 7th, and a small group of Mallards was observed on foot at the south end of the lake.

As of January 7, my 2008 Buchanan yard list stands at 16 species, my Walking BiGBY (Big Green Big Year) list at 17 species, following 4 days of incidental birding.