There’s something special about sipping coffee on the deck in late May, even when it’s a bit chilly. This year, the week before Memorial Day turned into an unexpected birdwatching bonanza right in our own backyard in Mid-Michigan.
We’ve got about 10 acres surrounded by woods, and with feeders set up just in front of our deck—and a couple of hummingbird feeders hanging from the overhang—the birds showed up like they got a formal invitation. Here are the feathered guests we spotted during the week:
Northern Cardinal
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| Northern Cardinal perched on a branch in Clare County, Michigan. |
That flash of red is always a welcome sight. A bright male cardinal perched in the tree, singing his heart out like he owned the place.
White-Breasted Nuthatch
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| White-Breasted Nuthatch climbing down a tree near a hanging bird feeder. |
These little acrobats made several appearances, scooting down tree trunks headfirst and grabbing snacks from the feeder.
Eastern Towhee
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| Eastern Towhee foraging on the ground beneath backyard trees. |
A real treat to see! We watched a female Towhee kick through the leaves under the feeder like a pro, calling out with her “drink-your-tea” song.
Tufted Titmouse
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| Tufted Titmouse perched on a tree branch. |
These tiny, curious birds darted in and out quickly, grabbing sunflower seeds and disappearing like little gray ghosts.
Baltimore Oriole
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| Baltimore Oriole perched near a jelly feeder in a Michigan backyard. |
The orioles brought some sunshine with them. A pair stopped by for a bit of jelly we set out—absolutely stunning against the greenery.
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
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| Rose-Breasted Grosbeak sitting on a bird feeder. |
Another “wow” moment—the male grosbeak looked like he was wearing a tuxedo with a splash of red. He came back several times!
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
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| Red-Bellied Woodpecker clinging to a tree trunk near a suet feeder. |
Hard to miss with that red cap and zebra-striped back. We heard him before we saw him—chipping away at a tree nearby.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
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| Two Red-Headed Woodpeckers perched on the side a tree near a suet feeder. |
We don’t always see these around here, so this was exciting. That bold red head looked like a stoplight in the woods!
Pileated Woodpecker
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| Two Pileated Woodpeckers on opposite tree trunks next to suet feeders. |
Our largest visitors of the week. They swooped in like a dinosaur with wings, hammering away at the suet feeder on our tree.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
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| Ruby-Throated Hummingbird perched on a tree branch near a feeder. |
As soon as the feeders went up, the hummingbirds appeared. A male zipped in, hovered mid-air, and gave us a good look at his glittering red throat.
It never ceases to amaze me how much life is out there when you stop and watch. Even with cool weather, these birds filled our mornings with color and song. If you’re birdwatching in Michigan this time of year, keep your feeders out—you never know who will stop by.
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