If this Downy Woodpecker looks a little unwell, he is unconscious after colliding with a window. Amazingly, he came to and flew off without ever letting go of his prized insects! (Photo by Marti Mollema)

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The Wallin area has long been a place to find nesting Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers (the latter being pictured here). These closely related warblers learn each other's songs and sometimes hybridize. (Photo by John Ester)

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The Mourning Warbler also can be found in Wallin (among other places in Benzie County). To go along with its good looks it has a distinctive burry song. (Photo by John Ester)

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While Yellow-billed Cuckoos are found throughout our area, this one was also spotted next to Long Road in Wallin. Cuckoos thrive in years like this when tent caterpillars are abundant. (Photo by John Ester)

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Another bird breeding here is the Canada Warbler. Like many migrants, this rather uncommon bird returns each spring to nest within yards of where Canada Warblers nested last year (and the year before that, and the year before that, and so on). (Photo by John Ester)

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How many Piping Plovers are present? With a brooding female it's hard to tell.

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Moments later one chick pops out from under its mother. Note that she still has an extra leg.

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Another chick pops out, but guess what--two more remain! (Photos by John Ester)

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It is amazing how quickly some chicks mature. On June 10 this downy Northern Goshawk chick was spotted on a nest.

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In only a week most of the chick's downy feathers were gone, and a timid sibling was seen sharing the nest.

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By June 20 the big chick was out of the nest, and its sibling was nowhere to be found. (Photos by John Ester)

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On July 12 Vern Stephens educated us on grasslands, first at our meeting at Watervale then at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy grassland site in northern Manistee County. Here Vern describes the process involved in restoring a grassland. (Photo by Char Ester)

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The field trip included a close-up look at part of the area being restored. By next year the property should look quite different. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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One of the species targeted for protection in the Conservancy project is the Grasshopper Sparrow, a bird of "special concern" in Michigan. Attendees got a good look at one through a spotting scope. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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On June 21 Carl Freeman led a trip to Old Baldy in Arcadia Dunes to see dune and forest plants. Among the specimens spotted was theYellow Lady's Slipper. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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Another plant found in the dunes was this Wood Lily. (Photo by Joe Brooks)

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The trek to Baldy is well worth the effort for just the view. More information about the trip, as well as more photos, can be found on the Field Trips page. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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On June 11 Carl Freeman led a special trip to Pearl Lake for the tribal students at Crystal Lake Elementary School (see Field Trips for a report and more photos). Both the students and the mothers in attendance enjoyed seeing an adult Bald Eagle. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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After learning about dragonflies and how to catch them, field trip participants became adept at handling butterfly nets. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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Dragonflies like this Chalk-fronted Corporal frequently land on people, especially those with light colored clothing. The light colors reflect more light and help warm them. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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Some were surprised to learn that adult dragonflies eat only flying insects. In addition they do not discriminate between other insects and their own kind. This Chalk-fronted Corporal has captured a damselfly. (Photo by Carl Freeman)

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Our May 1 meeting featuring Kay Charter drew a large and receptive audience. Here Kay talks about the importance of grasslands for migrants like the Bobolink appearing on the screen behind her. (Photo by Char Ester)

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On our "Wednesday Warblers and Wildflowers" field trip on April 30 there was a shortage of the former but plenty of the latter. In addition to Trillium, Trout Lily, Dutchman's Breeches and many other wildflowers was this aptly named Spring Beauty. (Photo by Joe Brooks)

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