Bird Hills

Yesterday was a perfect late fall day for a hike in Ann Arbor, Mich.--temps in the low 40s and clear. We walked about 3 or 4 miles through three contiguous parks that snake along the Huron River. First, Kuebler-Langford Nature Area, then Bird Hills Nature Area and then Barton Nature Area. The path began on a long uphill that afforded views of the Huron River Valley. It worked its way down to the other side of the divide before climbing again to a narrow ridge in Bird Hills. The trail stayed atop the ridgeline for quite a ways before dropping down next to the river. The Barton Nature Area offered views of Barton Pond, a reservoir behind a dam on the river--hence the swans on the list below. The amble continued through a prairie before returning to Kuebler-Langford on Huron River Drive. Sixteen bird species in all:

1. Northern Cardinal
2. Blue Jay
3. Red-bellied Woodpecker
4. Mallard
5. Mute Swan
6. Canada Goose
7. American Crow
8. Downy Woodpecker
9. Hairy Woodpecker
10. White-breasted Nuthatch
11. Tufted Titmouse
12. Black-capped Chickadee
13. Cooper's Hawk
14. American Tree Sparrow
15. Tundra Swan
16. Rock Dove