Hello Tweets,

We will be in the Great Lakes - central states area for part of May
starting in Chicago. Our only absolute plan so far is to join a group
tour into the Huron-Manistee National Forest reserve on the lower
Michigan peninsula for a hoped-for first look at the country's rarest
bird, the Kirtland's Warbler. Otherwise, we know it's a great time for
songbird migration and nesting, and we know of a bunch of reserves and
hotspots from a birding book for the region. Any particular
recommendations? Lodging suggestions (affordable) also appreciated.
We'll also be going into Ohio for family visits (Columbus, Dayton). We
will have a rental car.

I have never birded the middle of the country, so I'm excited at the
prospect of many new birds (warblers, tanagers, vireos). My husband grew
up in Ohio, but did not become a serious birder until he moved to the
west coast, so there are many eastern birds he has seen only without
binoculars.

Thanks much!

Kristi Hein
Anacortes
khc
at
picturesandwords.com