WoW-Thank You!

[Pam Grassmick]

The 9th Annual Warblers on the Water scheduled from May 27 through May 29 concluded on Sunday evening with a hike at Gull Harbor followed by a stop at Whiskey Point Brewery.

Visitors and birders expressed appreciation for the presentations held at the Community Center by Dr. Nancy Seefelt, Bill Parsons from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, and Linnea Rowse with the American Bird Conservancy. A wide range of topics included: warbler identification, tribal telemetry monitoring of Bald Eagles as well as the Piping Plover status on High Island and winter waterfowl counts around the archipelago. Linnea Rowse, Great Lakes Private Lands Director for the American Bird Conservancy, discussed the importance of current forestry management with current stressors and the need for forest age diversity and health. Each of the topics included action steps to enjoy, enhance habitats with useful links on how property owners and land managers could access further information.

The Beaver Island Association wishes to acknowledge those who supported the birding events with time or resources. Thank you to the Beaver Island Boat Company and Island Airways for their assistance with transporting the expert field trip leaders and presenters. The thank you extends to the Beaver Island Community Center, board members and staff, for the use of the auditorium for presentations, ticketing system and event promotion on WVBI, and opening early to facilitate field trips. We truly could not offer events such as these without the help from community members. Ken McDonald, upon returning to the Island, sprang into action to offer his assistance with driving. Principal and Superintendent of the BICS, Wil Cwikiel donated his holiday weekend driving the bus for field trips. Burton's Auto Rental provided a reduced van rental.We are grateful for the time, knowledge, and talent shared by the field trip leaders and presenters: Darrell Lawson, Andrea and Terry Grabill, Dr. Nancy Seefelt, Linnea Rowse and Bill Parsons.

Many participants added to their life list. Cornell's e-Bird site for Charlevoix County captured checklists from participants exploring the islands which tend to be under birded. https://ebird.org/region/US-MI-029 During the High Island trip with Captain Bob Turner and Dr. Nancy Seefelt, bird species of particular interest sighted included the American White Pelicans and the critically endangered Piping Plover along with other shorebirds. On Sunday, birders were again skillfully transported by Captain Mike Weede to Garden Island and lead by the Grabill team. While walking the trail, they discovered an active Northern Goshawk nest. Beaver Island field trips did not disappoint. Nearly 150 bird species in all were observed over the weekend.

A new Beaver Island Birding Trail website and updated map is slated to be released this summer. These will support birders accessing the island year-round. Suggestions for holding the 10th Annual Warblers on the Water festival are encouraged to be sent to the Beaver Island Association. http:// warblers@beaverislandassociation.org