![\"Western](\"http:\/\/ausablevalleyaudubon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ETSP-007-web.jpg\")
<\/a>Western Tanager
photo by Phil Odum used with permission<\/p><\/div>\n
Article by Peggy Ridgway<\/p>\n
For us birders, the massive spring movement of our feathered friends sends a buzz to our brains that we don\u2019t experience at other seasons of the year!\u00a0 These first few weeks of May are usually the highlight as we anticipate the arrival of species that have traveled thousands of miles to reach their breeding grounds. Many come from as far away as South America or even the Bahamas. \u00a0\u00a0For some it\u2019s a \u00a0\u00a0stop, rest, and refuel before journeying on further north. \u00a0\u00a0For others, Northern Michigan is their final destination and a time to set up territories , commence courtship, and raise young.<\/p>\n
The kaleidoscope of color adorning the trees and even our backyard feeding stations is amazing.\u00a0 Males in their bright bold breeding plumage create an artist\u2019s palette beyond compare. Sweet song symphonies fill the air. Many of us recognize the signature sounds and significance of each note.<\/p>\n
However, last week there was a vocalization and appearance \u00a0\u00a0of a particular bird that seemed out of place in this eastern region of the country. Many birders were caught off guard by its obvious presence at the feeding station at the Tawas Pt. State Park.\u00a0 Its bright orange head, lemon yellow back and breast , plus \u00a0black wings made observers take a second look.\u00a0 Could it be a Western Tanager this far east?\u00a0 Their usual range is Southern Alaska and the Western United States.\u00a0 How did that bird manage to veer this far off course? Yet, there it was right in front of the birders plain as day !<\/p>\n
<\/a>Western Tanager
photo by Phil Odum used with permission<\/p><\/div>\n
Is it possible that the strong storms across the western plains during the previous week \u00a0carried it this way?\u00a0 It\u2019s anybody\u2019s guess.\u00a0 Yet it was a rare and awesome sighting for those who witnessed it.\u00a0 Few have been recorded in this eastern region of the United States, let alone at Tawas Point! How long will it stay?\u00a0 That\u2019s hard to predict,\u00a0 but probably not long.\u00a0 Perhaps it will recalculate its inner GPS system and ride easterly winds back to native ground where it was first recorded during the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1803.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, East greets West was a fabulous, memorable, once in a lifetime encounter with that gorgeous songster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(sorry\u00a0for the late posting) Article by Peggy Ridgway For us birders, the massive spring movement of our feathered friends sends a buzz to our brains that we don\u2019t experience at other seasons of the year!\u00a0 These first few weeks of … Continue reading