 VIDEO: Coffee with the Birds Season Highlights
2020/21 Livestream Events
 The 2020/21 Coffee with the Birds season was like no other. We switched from “live and in person” to “livestreaming” these events due to the pandemic. Along the way we had a lot of fun learning how to manage CwB on this new venue and yet still encourage and grow in community, even while separated physically. Come along with us as we take a look back at what makes CwB special by showing some of the highlights from the four livestream events that were held this season. From funny moments and great bird questions to notable birds we saw together and YOUR Mug Shots, this video is a great introduction to what CwB is all about and a review of this past season.
A huge thanks to our volunteer sponsors who make this event possible by offering their video and tech expertise!
Kestrel Imagery: Aerial Video and Photo Services
That Others May Know: Capturing the Wisdom of Parents and Grandparents in Video Format.
For more information on Coffee with the Birds, the Mug Club and to view the events on YouTube click the link below:
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Article from The New York Times
For birders across the United States, it’s a rite of spring: heading out to woodlands and waterways to track down a favorite warbler, vireo, tanager or other bird, many of them migratory. We asked five birding enthusiasts to give us a rundown on where to go and what bird species to look for in five regions of the United States. All you need are binoculars and a good field guide.
Image: Cape May Warbler - Pixabay License
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More Than 316,000 Bald Eagles Live in the Lower 48, New Estimate Says
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Article from AllAboutBirds/Cornell Lab of Ornithology
For the past 50 years Fish and Wildlife Service has been tracking the nesting of Bald Eagles in the U.S. In its new Bald Eagle population report they found many more eagles than previously thought to exist in the Lower 48 states.
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Boom in migration thrills the growing birding community
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News Video from ABC/WZZM 13
Not only are Michigan's typical birds starting to make their way back from the south, but new visitors from Canada and the U.P. are coming with.
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The Return of "Extinct" Species (Ivory-billed Woodpecker)
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Video from CBS Sunday Morning
Every once in a while, what's been lost can be found again, as when a species believed extinct is sighted. In the midst of a human-caused extinction crisis, correspondent Conor Knighton reports on efforts to keep hope alive, by finding and re-establishing species that have all but disappeared.
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*If you have an interesting bird-related article or video to share, let us know!
Email it to us at naturecenter@miottawa.org and put "Bird News" in the subject line.
 Ottawa County Parks Upcoming BIRDING PROGRAMS:
Find more information and register using the link provided.
- Wednesday Morning Bird Walks (April – May)
- Beginner Birding Walks – 4/11, 4/24, 5/2, 5/15
- Bald Eagle Walks – 4/25 & 5/9 (Grand Ravines)
- Lakeshore Birding – 5/8 (Grand Haven)
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Big Day Birding Field Trip – 5/14 (Macatawa River Greenway)
- Pigeon River Greenway Birding Blitz – 5/22
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Bird Walk Reports
We've now had 2 spring bird walks and many more are to come. Read below to hear about what birds we've been finding out in our parks!
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Highlights included Wood Ducks perched in a tree and chasing through the woods in flight, extended looks at a Brown Creeper, and singing Winter Wren and Pine warbler.
*click the link above to view the checklist on eBird
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Highlights included 4 Bald Eagles and a flyover Osprey, Rusty Blackbird, singing Ruby-crowned Kinglet, several Yellow-rumped Warblers and numerous Great Blue Herons flying over. We also saw a sleeping raccoon roosting in a tree!
*click the link above to view the checklist on eBird
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 Roosting Raccoon seen on the bird walk at Crockery Creek on 4/14/21
 Submit your sightings, photos and videos and I'll share them in these Newswire emails. See below for information on how to submit your sightings!
Here's what's been reported since last time...
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Fox Sparrow
Worked hard this morning to get this photo of a migrating Fox Sparrow.
LD Monroe
Keep watch at your feeders and in the woods for this species right now as they are migrating through in April. Look at the bottom of this email for some ID tips on Fox vs. Song Sparrows.
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Sandhill Crane in flight at Upper Macatawa Natural Area
Mute Swan chasing Canada Goose at Connor Bayou
Michael Monfore
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 Upper Mac is one of the best parks to encounter Sandhill Cranes during migration and nesting. Photo by Michael Monfore
 Both known for their aggressive nature, this Canada Goose is being outdone by the larger Mute Swan. Photo by Michael Monfore
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Bald Eagle
Nice to hike the trails and always enjoying seeing the Eagles
Tom Visner
Grand Ravines North
*Thanks for shareing Tom! If you'd like to experience the Grand Ravines nesting Bald Eagles, we've scheduled "Bald Eagle Walks" on 4/25 and 5/9. Space is limited and is going fast so sign up today!
https://www.miottawa.org/Parks/programs.htm
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Can you ID this bird?
Look Closely!
Are you SURE?
Trick Question! This is a...
It was photographed by AJD in Slovakia! He's been observing it coming and going with nesting material to this nesting cavity.
He also recently observed a Eurasian Blackcap in his garden.
You can learn more about both these species on eBird by clicking the links above.
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*click the links above to view each species on AllAboutBirds.com
Very excited to work on Sparrow identification, and then see some at the Sands! Plus my first loon sighting this year.
Darby Onehouse
Ottawa Sands County Park
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HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BIRD SHARE SIGHTINGS
Click on the "Google Forms" link below to fill out where, when and what birds you saw. As an additional option at the end of the form, you'll have opportunity to upload any bird photos or videos you'd like to share! Please limit photos/videos to 3 per monthly newsletter and they must be <10MB each. Thank you!
*NOTE: You must be signed into a Google account to upload files. If you don't have a Google account, email your submissions to naturecenter@miottawa.org with "Bird Share" in the subject line.
*Any information or photos shared will be used in future Birding Update Newswire! emails.
 Links to Share
Use this link to sign up for this Newswire! email or share it with other who may enjoy it too.
Information and links for local bird clubs, programs & favorite birding websites and resources.
Find a collection of fun and informative "Backyard Birding" videos here.
Use this link to find the Ottawa County Parks "virtual" programs website with lots of fun videos and other resources for kids and adults.
Find all the information you'll need to know on CwB and how to join the Mug Club.
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