Bird watchers excited about launch of the St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail website
Bird watching has never been more exciting.
Blue Jays, Bald Eagles, crane, ducks, cardinals, Snowy Owls and the Bluegray Gnatcatcher are just a few of the wild birds that have been spotted in the area. St. Clair and Macomb counties have launched the St. Clair — Macomb Birding Trail website, scmbirdtrail. org, birding enthusiasts will be able to find even more bird watching locations.
The site went live in time for National Audubon Day on April 26.
“We’re thrilled that birders who live in and visit St. Clair and Macomb counties will have this comprehensive resource available to maximize their viewing opportunities,” said Gerard Santoro, program director for Macomb County’s Parks and Natural Resources. “The collaboration between the two counties has been exciting and fruitful.”
In 2020, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) awarded the two counties a grant to develop a website and paper map of more than 40 birding locations. St. Clair and Macomb counties are home to a wide variety of resident and migrating birds due to a diverse habitat and access to both large and small bodies of water. The area also sits below multiple migratory routes, and the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, providing birders with chances to observe different birds at different times of the year.
“The St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail is yet another outstanding recreational asset and economic driver along Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River corridor, enhancing our quality of life and providing great birding opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” said Dave Struck, planning director and deputy county administrator for St. Clair County.
Paper maps are currently available at the Metropolitan Planning Commission office in Port Huron and Macomb County Administration building in Mount Clemens, with additional locations throughout the county later this summer. Check the website for a listing of current spots.
Getting started
Bob Gors, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited on Hall Road in Macomb Township said the new website was very well done and contains a lot of good information for places to observe birds.
But how does one get started in bird watching?
“To better enjoy bird watching, a good pair of binoculars is an excellent way to start out,” Gors said.
They do not need to be expensive, just durable, comfortable to hold and easy to view through. There are two sizes of binoculars that the average birder uses: 8 x 42 or 10 x 42. The first digit (8 or 10) refers to the magnification of the binoculars, so in using this size objects appearing in the lens will be magnified 8 or 10 times. The second number (42) is the size of the objective lens (the larger part of the binocular), and the larger the number, the more light gathers at the lens. Since your average bird watchers are out after dawn and before dusk, 42 works well.
Another good tool for bird watchers is a guide book to help identify the birds that you spot during your adventure. The Snowy Owls have left for the season but Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles will be returning to backyards in the next few weeks in order to nest. Other ‘summer’ birds spotted in Michigan include: Song Sparrows, Killdeer, Tree Swallows, various Warblers, Gray Catbird, House Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret and many others, which is why it’s become such a popular hobby for Michiganders.
“Bird watching or bird feeding is the second largest hobby in the United States with gardening being number one,” Gors said. “I believe this is due to the fact that people find watching birds very relaxing and peaceful. People are typically outside enjoying warm sunny days, and find that taking a moment out to enjoy nature is good for the soul.”
This is also why it’s important to be a courteous bird watcher.
“Don’t push through a crowd to get a closer look at a bird. There’s usually plenty of room to see the birds, and most of the time they are above in the trees,” Gors said. “Simply look up with your binoculars to find them. If birding in a park with paths, stay on the paths to observe the birds. This is what binoculars and cameras are for. Leave the birds, or their nests alone. Do not try to pick up a bird, or remove an egg from a nest. Leave nature as it is.”
Lastly, you can carry on a conversation with others but do not scream or shout, leave the loud noises to the crows.