In Newaygo County we’re lucky to have a plethora of birds to see and hear while exploring the trails and natural outdoor spaces throughout the region. It is true that many birds don’t stay in Michigan during the winter-yet even then we have many bird species.
One winter-dwelling bird is our state bird the American Robin, which is also the state bird of Connecticut and Wisconsin. Despite their reputation of being a “spring bird” American robins don’t always migrate south during the winter. Indeed, I see American robins every other day of the year. American Robins often flock together in the woods during the winter only to return to backyards and other human-populated areas in the spring. These flocks don’t necessarily leave in a southernmost direction or even move far away. Robins like to eat berries and will stay wherever those plants are, which could be a forest or a yard with a berry-producing tree or shrub in it.

Robin Looks Right
The American Robin is called as such in reference to the European Robin, which is the national bird of the U.K. American Robins really have more in common with Eurasian blackbirds than European robins, but European settlers called them “robins” because they look similar to European Robins. Both male and female American robins have yellow beaks and are almost entirely brown except for their red-orange stomachs. They have a wide range of bird calls including, but not limited to “chirping.”
White-breasted nuthatches are year-round Michigan residents and frequently visit bird feeders in the winter. They have a “neh-neh-neh” bird call that sounds almost like human laughter. They’re small with a blue-gray back and have a narrow black streak on top of their otherwise white face. Their neck and stomach are also white and they have a large black beak.
Blue jays also live here during the winter. They’re easy to recognize by ear because they make a loud high-pitch “cheee” cry whenever a human moves too close for comfort or whenever they team up to mob a hawk or owl. They’re even easier to recognize by sight since they’re one of the few birds in Michigan that have blue feathers. Male and female blue jays are almost entirely blue with white breasts, black feathered “head-tips”, and black and white flecked wings. Whereas most molted bird feathers are hard to match up to their respective species, the pattern on blue jays feathers are difficult to confuse with other birds. Despite being a common bird – and unique-looking at that – blue jays can be difficult to spot because they don’t tolerate human company as well as American robins, turkey vultures, “seagulls” (a term used to describe many different gull species), or American crows. They tend to be seen more during winter when they visit bird feeders.

Blue Jay Feathers
One bird we don’t see in Newaygo County during the winter is the Mourning Dove. They’re named after their melancholic song, which can be clumsily translated into “who-wah-who-who-who”, with an emphasis on the “wah.” In real life this is a beautiful bird call to hear during summer and spring. Mourning Doves are most active before sunrise and evenings, but you’re more likely to hear them than see them. Mourning Doves are pale brown and blend into the countryside well. Male and female Mourning Doves are almost identical except the male has light pink and blue-gray neck feathers.

Mourning Dove in Song
By Samantha Breza
Fall River Exploration
As the summer season begins to wind down, our minds begin to wander to all of the great fall activities before us. Late summer, into early fall, brings the perfect weather for outdoor experiences of every sort. Paddle the waterways, bike The Dragon, fish the river,...
Swing Over to NewayGo!
A round of golf and a cocktail on the patio, sound like the perfect way to spend a summer day in Newaygo County! Throughout the region, you will find great spots for golf, both traditional golf and disc golf, and restaurants offering outdoor dining to help you make...
It’s Dragon Season
Head to Newaygo County, Where Michigan’s Dragon Awaits Wrapped around Hardy Dam Pond, Michigan’s Dragon lies in wait of your arrival for big outdoor adventure. Imagine yourself soaring through the trees on fast and flowing trails that provide both a technically...
Spring Fishing in the Rivers of NewayGo County
River Fishing & Spring Camping Cool, crisp morning air, your first morning cup of coffee brewed by campfire, sunshine sparkling across the river, and a full day laid out in front of you reserved for fishing. Longing for the simplicity of a campsite and a few days...
Trail Time & Hot Toddies
Instead of toiling the winter days away, cooped up indoors, why not venture out for some trail time and toddies? Newaygo County is the perfect destination for such an adventure, and we are going to tell you right where to start! Gear up! First….are you going to...
Fremont Gets Ready to Jingle!
The Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to the Jingle Mingle Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 12th from 9 am to 3 pm at the Fremont Middle School at 500 Woodrow Street. Organizers say that attendees will find many unique handmade gifts and...
Fall Hikes + Hunting Season
Hike Safely During Hunting Season Fall is a fantastic time to enjoy a nice hike on the trails. Cooler, drier weather, changing leaves, and fewer insects make it one of many people’s favorite hiking seasons. Autumn is a favorite season for other forms of outdoor...
Punch your tag & bring home Thanksgiving dinner!
While the average weight of a fall turkey is below 15 pounds, a bird of that size will consume roughly five pounds of food each week. That doesn’t sound like much but fall turkey flocks’ balloon in size this time of year. On the small side, a flock of just a dozen...
Harvest Fest Returns to Fremont!
The Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the schedule of events for the 16th Annual Fremont Harvest Festival, slated to be Thursday September 22nd, Friday September 23rd and Saturday 24th. The Fremont Harvest Festival celebrates the rich farming...
Hey Newaygo! Let’s CAN some food!
Fall in Newaygo County is full of rich colors as the trees change from green to reds, yellows, and shades of brown. It also is a wonderful time of discovering the amazing bounty of the fall harvest, presented at local farmer markets and roadside country stands. On...
A legacy of family, hunting & conservation: The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch
Welcome to The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch, an institution with a rich legacy of hunting, family, and conservation. A LEGACY OF FAMILY, HUNTING, & CONSERVATION OUR STORY Established in 2018, The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit...
White River Adventure
Early in the morning I left Lowell and arrived to drop my canoe and gear at Flowing Wells Park west of White Cloud. A short drive to the end of Bingham Road provided a great parking spot and marked the start of my bike ride back to the canoe. Having paddled...
Feel the ADRENALINE… with the world’s heaviest motorsport!
A need for power and speed is a desire dating back to the chariot races of ancient Rome. It’s a safe bet to say that there is no other sport quite like Truck and Tractor Pulling. The guys and gals that harness these incredibly high-powered machines on the weekends are...
Spring Brings New Life to Newaygo County
For a growing number of residents, that new life is in the form of baby chicks. As “Backyard Birding” continues to grow in popularity, many communities are amending or passing laws that allow residents to raise chickens. With most breeds laying an average of 3-4 eggs...
As the ice melts from Croton Pond, a new season drips into Newaygo County
As the ice melts from Croton Pond and we cautiously put away our snow shovels, a new season drips into Newaygo County. With cold evenings and warm, or at least above freezing daytime temperatures, Maple Syrup season begins to take off at Grey Dog Maple Farms. Situated...
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail. This winter, my fiancé, two dogs, and I had the chance to check out the trail for the first time and we all quickly fell in love. In fact, we did not just go once, we went twice within the...
Newaygo County is the Perfect Place to Experience 1000 Hours Outside!
My family and I are avid outdoors people. More often than not, you can find us outside enjoying the four seasons of beautiful Michigan weather. From rivers and forests to trails and adventures, we’re pretty blessed to be able to explore Newaygo County that boasts the...
Q & A With a local SLEDHEAD and Snowmobiling Etiquette 101
My family has grown up in the Newaygo County area and we have been riding snowmobiles off the LP3 Trail system for years. When you see the staging parking lots full on a Saturday morning, it feels good to know the area businesses are going to see some out of county...