Subject: Birding Across the USA
Date: Oct 1 22:19:01 1997
From: Hughbirder at aol.com - Hughbirder at aol.com


I was just returned from an unexpected and unplanned driving trip to
Michigan. Driving back my wife and I were able to take our time and stop at
some areas to bird.
Unfortunately in late Sept., it was too late for the shorebirds and too early
for the waterfowl wherever we stopped. But we saw some promising areas that
we hope to get to at a better time of the year. I thought it would be
worthwhile letting others know about them.

Crane Creek SP and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area - east of Toledo, OH. It has a
good visitor center at the Magee Marsh area. This would be a very good area
at the right time of the year, late April to early May or August to early
Sept. A total of 303 species have been seen at this area.

Clarence Cannon NWR - On west side of Miss. R. at Annada, MO, one hour north
of St. Louis on Hwy 71. It is part of the larger Mark Twain NWR
headquartered at Quincy, IL. Another area with great potential with a
species count of over 200.

Pawnee Nat'l Grassland - east of Greeley, CO. It is a large area with a
check list of 284 birds. A brochure shows a self-guided auto birding tour of
36 miles. We only had time to cover about 20 miles. This is an excellent
area with numerous species of sparrows, as well as Mt. Plover, McCown's and
Chestnut-collared Longspurs that nest in the area.

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - 15 miles west of Brigham City, UT along
Great Salt Lake. There is a 12 mile auto tour route. Spring is the best
time. We did see a lot of Western Grebe, two Clarke's Grebe, a Redhead,
White Pelican, Yellowlegs, numerous American Avocet, Least Sandpiper, Willet
as well as others.

We also drove up to the Hells Canyon Dam. The drive on a beautiful morning
resulted in great scenery and our best bird sighting of the trip. We went up
hwy 95 thru Payette, ID up to Cambridge and then hwy 71 to Brownlee Dam. On
the west slope of hwy 71 we came upon a flock (?covey, group ?) of 25 Wild
Turkey, all female, feeding in brush beside the road. A few miles further on
we came on another flock of six. For me, it was the only time I have seen
more than one Wild Turkey at a time.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA