A rather wet day with many grounded birds before the weather cleared out during the afternoon. Just prior to noon the rain started to ease as David wandered around the netting area where he found a showy Blue-winged Warbler that sang frequently and feed low down mainly allowing good photographs in the dull conditions. After spending some time with this cracker I headed for Traverse where I got much the same as yesterday but there was no sign of the cerulean. Once at the west end of the trail I heard a loud cry from the marsh area to the south, as I looked up an immature Rough-legged Hawk drifted over. Going to investigate the cry I confirmed my suspicions as two Sandhill Cranes flew up from the marsh in front. Back at the east end of the marsh an American Bittern circled before heading off south. The wind had completely dropped by the evening leaving a flat calm lake with many ducks viewable. Grabbing my scope I almost immediately spotted a pair of Harlequin Ducks once again very distantly among the long-tails. Continued scanning located a Red-necked Grebe. 
Blue-winged Warbler
6th May
A light southeasterly wind over night with high cloud lead to the opening of the floodgates. Around the obs new birds for a start were Common Yellowthroat, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Indigo Bunting. Mid morning and a male Golden-winged Warbler had been caught, whilst holding this bird for photographs a ‘blue-winged’ warbler type was heard singing in the wood behind. After a lengthy search I tracked it down to see what looked like a ‘blue-winged’ except for one feature, the bird had yellow wing bars which meant that it was another Brewster’s Warbler.
Golden-winged Warbler
Brewster's Warbler
The nets were closed shortly after noon and I was off to Traverse where there were many birds to check. I found a warbler flock and soon picked out 3 Blackburnian, 2 Black and White, Ape May, 8 Palm and 4 Black-throated Green from the numerous Myrtle. Next was a cracking male Chestnut-sided Warbler and then singing above my head appeared a stunning male Cerulean Warbler that moved around the treetops. On the road just outside Traverse was a flock of 30 male Bobolinks with a single female. As the sun started to set a Brewster’s warbler popped up in Traverse followed by a second male Golden-winged Warbler along the road back to the obs.
Bobolink
Trip total = 150, Lifers = 32
5th May
A quieter day today but a new bird in was a Green Heron that spent all day around the harbour. A Merlin flew over and as evening drew in an American Bittern started to call from the marsh near to the lighthouse. A scan over the lake got a very distant Red-necked Grebe.
4th May
A calm clear day meant it was a good day for migrants again, first was a male Black-throated Blue Warbler found in the wood at Traverse along with Black and White, Pine and Black-throated Green Warblers. Ringing produced a Red-breasted Nuthatch and another two Rusty Blackbirds. Around by the lighthouse a Whip-poor-will flushed off the beach, two Purple Martins flew over as three obliging Least Sandpipers feed along the shore on the point.
Whip-poor-will
3rd May
A slight drop and change in wind direction over night meant many new birds had arrived. There were lots of people around the banding lab so I got the chance to check out Point Traverse during the morning for a change. There were a few birds around but it wasn’t until the last little stretch when a warbler called from above my head in a lone tree that I was unfamiliar with. Straight onto the bird and I could see a grey bird with golden (yellow) wings, yellow forehead and a black eye-stripe! (white throat) Initial hopes of a Golden-winged Warbler were dashed as this turned out to be a Brewster’s Warbler. A hybrid of Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warbler. Back to the obs just as birds started to arrive with 4 Warbling Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler, Cape May Warbler and 5 White-crowned Sparrows. 
Brewster's Warbler
After closing, a trip around to the lighthouse yielded 3 Orchard Orioles along with 6 Baltimore and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Back around the inner harbour a second Brewster’s Warbler of the day was found singing a Blue-winged song (looked much the same as the morning bird).
2nd May
Caught today were two new warblers in the form of an Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush. Whilst the sunshine brought a flock of 12 Broad-winged Hawks over followed by a Red-tailed Hawk. Around the wood at Traverse during the afternoon were Black and White Warbler and a Whip-poor-will.
Northern Waterthrush
1st May
The start of a new month produced very little change with highlights being a male Baltimore Oriole, Nashville Warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The lake shore had 3 Spotted Sandpipers and a drake Gadwall flew by.
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