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.
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.
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.
By Samantha Breza
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...
A Dazzling Light Display at Croton Township Campground!
There is something magical about Christmas light displays that bring out the child in all of us. Memories of car rides to see the neighborhood lights, with noses pressed to the window, are rekindled. These memories can be relived, and new ones created, in Newaygo...
Fremont’s own Award-winning prairie
Fall is my favorite season, hands-down. Between the fall colors, harvest festivals and some fresh-pressed apple cider, I’m one happy girl. A fall favorite event of ours is Fremont’s Hay Art and this year it was extra special. While out exploring the city’s Hay...
White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems
If you venture a few yards off M-37, you will find some amazing hidden gems within White Cloud city limits that most travelers don’t know exist. Hidden Gem #1 If you're heading North into town, Rotary Park is the first stop you’ll make. Taking a right on James Street...
Take me Down to the River: High Rollway Adventures
High Rollway is a roadside park located in Brooks Township off M-82, less than ten minutes from Downtown Newaygo. From the road, the park looks like an ordinary grassy area to park and stretch your legs after a long car ride. However, this park is a hidden gem just...
Let’s Talk About Bogs!
On todays episode of our outdoor family adventures, we ventured out to Camp Newaygo's Wetland Trail! Nestled in Camp Newaygo, the Wetland Trail is the only one of its kind in Michigan. What makes this so unique is that the one-mile round-trip trail crosses through the...
Family Adventures at Coolbough Natural Area
My family and I are avid outdoors people. Our ideal day would be to do something outdoorsy from sunup to sundown. From hunting and fishing, to hiking trails and exploring new places, it’s something we all can connect and bond over, while giving our family the outdoor...
Never Underestimate a Woman With a Chainsaw
Growing up, my grandparents were farmers, and my grandpa and uncle were really into steam engines , restoring one and building one from scratch. They would go to steam engine shows and by chance at one of them, they met a group of lumberjacks doing a show. They...
Labor Day Weekend Logging Festival
The Logging Festival in Newaygo has been a part of Labor Day weekend for more than 60 years. I have been trying to research the changes throughout the years and have learned that while some of the weekend’s events and activities have changed, the common theme of...
Exploring Challenge: An 8 year old’s adventure
Having a mom that is involved in a million things has its perks every now and then. As Newaygo County Tourism Council President, I had the opportunity to share the new Newaygo County Exploring Challenge with my kids as soon as it was approved. Over the past few...
A Newbie’s Experience With The White River
Like most who grew up in Michigan, water has always been my happy place. From boating on the big lake, jet skiing on the inland lakes, tubing down the Muskegon River, and most recently kayaking, any day in water is a good day. My new found love of kayaking took me on...
Star Parties Return!
Great news from the S.F. Wessling Observatory! Read on to learn more, or visit their new website: http://www.newaygocd.org/kropscott-and-observatory.html We are pleased to announce that the S. F. Wessling Observatory will conduct its first 2021 Star Party on Saturday...
Mountain Biking Saved My Life… an experience with The Dragon!
Mountain biking saved my life….well, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely improved my overall quality of life. I moved up to Newaygo county last August from Calhoun county, were I thoroughly enjoyed the trails of Fort Custer. However, by this time I was a new...
Hesperia Welcomes ORVs!
It is no secret that Newaygo County is a great place to ride your ATV or ORV, with all Newaygo County maintained roads open to ORV/ATV traffic, but some restrictions apply when you enter City/Village limits. The Village of Hesperia, located on the far western edge of...
Newaygo County Parks: 2021 Updates
As kids embark on summer vacation & families look for ways to enjoy our beautiful Michigan Summer, we caught up with Nick Smith, Newaygo County Parks Director, to see what's new and exciting in the parks this season! Newaygo County has 4 campgrounds, 1 marina, 2...
Kids Free Fishing!
Beginning in 1983, Russell Gilbert Kids Free Fishing is a day where families can gather for fun times and even have a chance to win big money! On the first Kids Free Fishing day, 8 anglers joined in the fun & over the years, they have seen over 400 anglers...