Information regarding the 285 species of birds recorded in Calhoun County, and where you should be able to find (most of) them.  

This section of my website is dedicated to chronicling the Birds recorded in Calhoun County.  eBird has been the biggest source, as there have been 264 bird sightings recorded.  
The remainder are from:

Birds of Calhoun County

Navigation of the website:
  • The menu in the upper right of each page (Birding Calhoun County), will expand to the Birds of the County, then by family grouping, then by each Species
  • The family pages will have links to the individual birds in each family.  You can navigate to any of the family pages from the menu on the right side of each page, or via the menu in the upper right.
  • Each species page will have a similar heading at the top.  By clicking on the appropriate graphic you can "scroll" between species in order.
House Sparrow
Common Loon
Common Loon

Gavia immer

Loons (Gaviidae)

Code 2

Whatbird   

All About Birds
Each page will have the information you see on the left.  From top to bottom:
  • Common Name - with a link to the eBird sightings map for Calhoun County to see historical locations for sightings.  
  • Scientific Name
  • Family (Scientific Family Name)
  • Code for Calhoun County.  Details on coding information can be found here.
  • Link to the Whatbird.com page on the Species
  • Link to the All About Birds page on the Species
In the main body I will have some comments about the bird.  What the best months are to see it around here.  I will also have some suggestions on where to look.  <insert legal disclaimer, or some such claptrap, about no guarantees you will see the bird at that location/time>

Speaking of disclaimers, I will also have pictures included on those birds that I have taken pictures of.  I am not a professional photographer, so many of them are purely for documentation purposes.  Also not all of them will necessarily be from birds in Calhoun County.  Where needed I will note those as best I can.  

Birding Links

Michigan Bird Listers - compilation of lists
Poronto's Birding Macomb - Paul Poronto birding blog
mibirdingnetwork.com - forum with Michigan focus
Glances at Nature - Josh Haas blog
Birding Berrien and Beyond - Matt Hysell blog
Michigan Hummingbird Guy - Allen Chartier blog
Team eBird Michigan - Michigan's eBird reviewers blog
Hybrid Birds - Hybrid Bird blog
Surfbirds - Galleries, Trip Report, Articles on ID
​Whatbird - Forum for ID and bird discussion
​Birding Image Quality Tool - blog on bird ID from pics
Digital Bird Photography - resource for Bird photography
Birding is Fun - blog of various birders (no longer active)
Langell Photography - BIF posting
Hancock Wildlife Foundation - Juvenile Bald and Golden Eagle differences forum discussion

Hotspots

Slowly, but surely, I will also be working on some detailed looks at hotspots, and personal locations in the County.  I will also have some pages dedicated to what spots to look for specific kinds of birds, such as Shorebirds or Waterfowl.  I am also looking for further feedback on these sites, as some I have spent much less time than I wish I could birding them.  I will have a navigable menu on the right side to all the various sites also.  
​
1/2 Mile and Marl Lake Road

Care must be taken when walking on the bridge.

Scope
Camera
​Binoculars
​Kayak
For each hotspot  I will have on the left side, from top to bottom:
  • Location Name - with a link to a google map of the location
  • Any warnings, or directions such as:
    • Parking availability or if it is Roadside
    • Cautions to watch out for, such as the bridge on 1/2 Mile and Marl Lake Road having large holes in it
    • Assorted other critters I have encountered
  • Tips on what to bring such as:
    • Scope (if it would be helpful)
    • Camera
    • Binoculars
    • Kayak or other "boat" (for some areas if an option)
In the body I will go through some of my tips on where to look, and some of the more likely/interesting birds possible at the location.  I will also have some more details on anything pertinent to the information in the left bar.  

For the pages that are dedicated to specific kinds of birds I will have listings of where to look in the county, and some tips of navigating to the locations.  Some lakes may be listed as hotspots, but I may have suggestions for other nearby lakes that could be checked that are not specifically called out on this site as a hotspot.  

I am open to any comments, suggestions and especially further information in relation to birds of, and birding in, Calhoun County.