Birds
They come in all sizes, shapes, and sounds. This watershed is home to many birds during the summer months, is used as a respite during migration, and in winter sees only the brave left. Notable species are the Bald Eagle, Osprey, Kirtland’s Warbler, and Peregrine Falcon. In 2006, YDWP was part of a large effort to survey the birds on the Yellow Dog Plains. The survey is a great resource for those visiting as birdwatchers. Check it out. Also available is a species list.
Kirtland’s Warbler: In 2006, birders spotted a lone male warbler on the Yellow Dog Plains and identified it as this federally listed endangered species. The Kirtland’s Warbler are extremely rare throughout the world and only about 1,400 remain primarily in 10 Michigan counties. The bird is 5-6 inches in length and has a gray back with black streaks on a yellow breast. They habitate mostly in young jack pine forest during the summer, then migrate to the Bahamas for the winter. The lone male was confirmed and attempts at bird surveys have been made to confirm a nesting pair. No surveys have produced such sightings as of yet. Further surveys will be conducted in the future, however.
Kirtland's Warbler on the Yellow Dog Plains by Chauncey Moran
YDWP continues to be part of efforts to further study the avain communities in the watershed. Check to see if any bird surveying is happening on the Current Events Page and come on out to help.
