[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”624px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/FOnt-Lake-Header-for-BIBT-Low-Res.png” title_text=”FOnt Lake Header for BIBT (Low Res)” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”466px”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#233894″ header_font_size=”46px”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-42px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”||45px|||”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n
Some of the bird species found on Beaver Island are familiar residents like chickadees, woodpeckers and grouse,\u00a0while others visit the archipelago as part of their annual cycle.\u00a0\u00a0In the winter, northern visitors such as Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Long-tailed Ducks can be found.\u00a0\u00a0However, the greatest diversity of species can be seen during spring and fall migration, as well as during the summer breeding season.\u00a0\u00a0Large flocks of warblers, vireos, sparrows, and thrushes feed along the coastal forests and dunes as they migrate in spring.\u00a0\u00a0Many of these birds take advantage of a plentiful food source in May, the large swarms of non-biting midges that emerge from Lake Michigan.<\/p>\n
Some of these birds like Black-throated Green Warblers and Hermit Thrushes stay to breed on the islands, while others like Palm Warblers and White-crowned Sparrows just stop over for a day or two on their journey north.\u00a0Additionally, the archipelago is a summer breeding home for many waterbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds.\u00a0\u00a0The endangered Piping Plover may breed on sandy beaches where sandpipers can also be found.\u00a0\u00a0Common Loons nest on several inland lakes while Bald Eagles and Osprey soar overhead.\u00a0\u00a0Ducks and geese can be observed on these inland habitats but can also be found on the big lake.\u00a0\u00a0Gulls, terns, herons and cormorants take advantage of secluded outer islands to form breeding colonies and raise their young.<\/p>\n
The Beaver Archipelago is a splendid location to view a great diversity of birds because\u00a0it provides\u00a0important habitats for many members of the Great Lakes avian community.<\/p>\n
–Dr. Nancy Seefelt, Professor of Biology<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Sora-4-Beaver-Island-5-26-2015-Web.jpg” title_text=”Sora-4—Beaver-Island—5-26-2015—Web” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”112%|112%” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/donotdisturb.jpg” title_text=”donotdisturb” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px||||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#233894″ header_2_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n
Enjoy the avian richness of our special island! Out of respect for island property owners and to protect our migrating and nesting birds, please observe the following rules of birding etiquette:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/redheadedwoodpecker.jpg” title_text=”redheadedwoodpecker” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n
Habitat loss:<\/strong><\/p>\n Migratory birds encounter numerous threats during their life time, but the most serious threat to their existence is habitat loss, both in wintering and breeding areas and on migratory routes in between.\u00a0 To learn more visit https:\/\/abcbirds.org\/threat\/habitat\/<\/a><\/span> and https:\/\/www.fws.gov\/birds\/bird-enthusiasts\/threats-to-birds.php<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Invasive Species:<\/strong><\/p>\n The most damaging invasive species to birds in the United States is the domestic house cat.\u00a0 Feral and outdoor pet cats are estimated to kill 2.4 billion birds every year in the U.S. alone.\u00a0 For more information visit https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/faq-outdoor-cats-and-their-effects-on-birds\/<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Collisions:<\/strong><\/p>\n Colliding with man-made structures is an especially serious threat to migratory birds.\u00a0 It is estimated that over one billion birds crash into window glass each year in the United States, and another 32 million die as a result of encounters with power lines and communication towers.\u00a0 For more information visit https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it\/<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Pesticides, toxic compounds, light pollution and plastics:<\/strong><\/p>\n Often\u00a0these products do not kill birds immediately but lead to a slow death from accidental consumption.\u00a0 In addition, pesticides reduce the insect populations on which birds depend especially during migration and nesting.\u00a0 To learn more about birds and pesticides visit https:\/\/abcbirds.org\/program\/pesticides<\/a><\/span>, and go to https:\/\/www.ecowatch.com\/birds-microplastics-food-chain-2646064992.html<\/a><\/span> to learn more about the effect of plastics on birds.<\/p>\n Through research, the Audubon Society has determined that “While\u00a0<\/span>lights<\/b>\u00a0can throw\u00a0<\/span>birds<\/b>\u00a0off their migration paths,\u00a0<\/span>bird<\/b>\u00a0fatalities are more directly caused by the amount of energy the\u00a0<\/span>birds<\/b>\u00a0waste flying around and calling out in confusion. The exhaustion can then leave them vulnerable to other urban threats.”\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.darksky.org\/what-you-should-know-about-bird-migration-and-light-pollution\/<\/a><\/p>\n The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an excellent web page on Seven Simple Ways to Help Birds at https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/bring-birds-back\/<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n Native Plants and Insects<\/strong><\/p>\n Many\u00a0birds, migratory songbirds in particular, depend on insects for energy while migrating and for feeding their young.\u00a0 Birds did not evolve with the sterile landscaped yards that are found in North America and Europe and neither did the insects on which birds depend.\u00a0 Mown lawns and non-native ornamental plants are as detrimental to the survival of birds as any of the threats listed in the previous section.\u00a0 Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware is a strong proponent of rewilding suburban yards by replacing them with native plants.\u00a0 His persuasive arguments are expanded in his books, Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlfe in Our Gardens<\/em> (2007) and Nature\u2019s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard<\/em> (2020).\u00a0 Information about Dr. Tallamy\u2019s work can be found at https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/science-nature\/meet-ecologist-who-wants-unleash-wild-backyard-180974372\/<\/a><\/span> and Saving Birds Thru Habitat (https:\/\/www.savingbirds.org\/<\/a><\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GreyHairstreakonGoldenrod.jpg” title_text=”GreyHairstreakonGoldenrod” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/spottedsandpiper-copy.jpg” title_text=”spottedsandpiper copy” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”110%|110%” custom_padding=”|0px||||” custom_margin=”|38px||||”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n The State of Michigan\u2019s list of \u201cSpecies of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)\u201d. And more specifically the list of birds: http:\/\/mnfi.anr.msu.edu\/data\/specialanimals.cfm#grp3<\/a><\/p>\n Woodcock \/ Timberdoodle Conservation: Grassland Bird Conservation: [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n Artificial nesting structures, such as nest boxes, are often used to increase opportunities for nesting birds that are experiencing declining populations.\u00a0 Although artificial structures cannot replace natural nesting sites, they can supplement the number of suitable nesting sites, thus increasing the reproductive success of the bird species in question.<\/p>\n Beaver Island maintains multiple artificial nesting structures for birds.\u00a0 A chimney swift tower has been installed next to the St. James Township administration building on Kings Highway (#4 on the Beaver Island Birding Sites map).\u00a0 Several kestrel boxes are located near the parking lot of Little Traverse Conservancy\u2019s Little Sand Bay Preserve (#12 on the Beaver Island Birding Sites map).\u00a0 The Beaver Island Golf Course, located south of the Little Sand Bay Preserve on East Side Drive, has approximately a dozen bluebird houses installed around the golf course.\u00a0 All three of the species that use these nesting structures are experiencing declining populations, so the goal of island bird supporters is to provide them with more nesting sites than occur naturally.\u00a0 For more information on artificial nesting structures and how to build them visit https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/Internet\/FSE_DOCUMENTS\/nrcs144p2_054093.pdf<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/beaver_island_swift_tower.jpg” title_text=”beaver_island_swift_tower” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” height=”200px”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kestrelbox.jpg” title_text=”kestrelbox” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” height=”200px”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#233894″]<\/p>\n Other than the European starling, Beaver Island has only one invasive bird species, the mute swan (Cygnus olor<\/em>), that has affected native birds and island ecosystems.\u00a0 The mute swan is native to Europe and Asia and was brought to the United States in the late 1800’s as an elegant and graceful avian ornament for public parks and private estates.\u00a0 Some of the birds escaped from these areas, and the size of the mute swan population in Michigan and other Great Lakes states has grown extremely rapidly.\u00a0 According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a pair of mute swans was introduced near Charlevoix in 1919.\u00a0 From this single pair, the state population grew to 2000 birds in 1990 and over 15,000 by 2010.<\/p>\n Mute swans are considered beautiful birds by many people, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.\u00a0 Although their striking physical appearance is a plus for these large swans, there is a dark side to this bird.\u00a0 First, they are very aggressive.\u00a0 They harass native waterfowl, such as loons and trumpeter swans, and prevent them from nesting.\u00a0 Common loons on both Barney\u2019s Lake and Font Lake on Beaver Island have lost nesting opportunities due to the aggressive habits of mute swans on the lakes.\u00a0 Mute swans are even aggressive toward humans and will attack anyone, especially a small child, who approaches their nest.\u00a0 Second, mute swans destroy wetland vegetation.\u00a0 Mute swans eat aquatic plants, and they are messy eaters.\u00a0 Not only does an adult swan consume four to eight pounds of vegetation a day, but it also uproots a lot more vegetation than it actually eats.\u00a0 This behavior has negative consequences on other animals.\u00a0 Many small fish, aquatic insects, and other invertebrates live in the vegetation mute swans eat, so when the vegetation is gone, so is their habitat.\u00a0 These animals serve as food for other animals, so when they disappear, so do the animals which feed upon them.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because of the large number of mute swans in the state of Michigan, the birds have put pressure on valuable wetland habitats that are needed to sustain the rich biodiversity of the Great Lakes.\u00a0 The Michigan DNR\u2019s goal for the species is to reduce the state-wide population to less than 2000 by 2030.\u00a0 To promote these efforts the DNR issues permits to landowners to remove mute swans and their nests and eggs.\u00a0 More information is available at https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/invasives\/0,5664,7-324-68002_73846-369897–,00.html<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/attackingswan.jpg” title_text=”attackingswan” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” transform_scale=”122%|122%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Birding OverviewSome of the bird species found on Beaver Island are familiar residents like chickadees, woodpeckers and grouse,\u00a0while others visit the archipelago as part of their annual cycle.\u00a0\u00a0In the winter, northern visitors such as Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Long-tailed Ducks can be found.\u00a0\u00a0However, the greatest diversity of species can be seen during […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/495"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=495"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":868,"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/495\/revisions\/868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaverislandbirdingtrail.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Conservation Sites of interest<\/span><\/h2>\n
http:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/dnr\/0,4570,7-153-10370_30909_30916-93852–,00.html<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/dnr\/0,4570,7-153-10370_30909_30916-154428–,00.html<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.timberdoodle.org\/sites\/default\/files\/northern_forest_woodcock_bmp_nrcs_wildlife_insight.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/mnfi.anr.msu.edu\/education\/ag-bird-booklet.pdf<\/a><\/p>\nArtificial Nesting Structures for birds\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
a Case Study in Invasive Species: Mute Swans<\/span><\/h2>\n