Stinchfield Woods is located in northwestern Washtenaw County in Michigan's lower peninsula about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. The Woods features 777 acres of conifer plantations and stands of native hardwoods, mostly oaks and hickories, and is managed by the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

For 26 years, volunteers have participated in the Stinchfield Woods Breeding Birds Survey by counting birds heard and seen on a weekend morning in early June. The count typically yields species from Michigan's north such as Pine, Blackburnian, and Black-throated Green Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, and Red-breasted Nuthatches and Ohio's south such as Acadian Flycatchers and Hooded Warblers.

Year 2018's count took place on cool, calm, and overcast Saturday, June 2, from 7 to 11:50 am. Special thanks go to our big crew of 16 volunteer census-takers.

This year's number of species surpassed the previous record of 61 by 3 species, and the total number of individuals (816) exceeded the 21-year average (756.6).

Here are 2018's headlines: A record number of species at 64, breaking the previous record of 61 achieved 6 times over the last 21 years; Hooded Warbler numbers are down to 25, 10 fewer than last-year's record 35; Gobs of Pileated Woodpecker evidence but only 1 counted this year; A lone Bank Swallow continuing in a sand quarry on Toma Road's east side; and Two first-time-ever birds: RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and MOURNING WARBLER!

Birds on the rise are:

  • Yellow-Billed Cuckoos ~ 6 (2018), previous high is 3 (2017 and 2001)
  • Acadian Flycatchers ~ Bouncing back up to 20, averaging 4.8 in the first decade and 20.4 in the most recent 11 years. Ditto for Eastern Wood-Pewwes ~ High this year at 53; averaging 39.4 in the first decade and 51.4 in the mot recent 11 years
  • Black-Capped Chicadees ~ Always numerous, winning the highest-number-of-individuals award this year and overall for 7 (33.3%) of 21 years
  • American Robins ~ This year a record number of 41, surpassing last year's record of 32; averaging 10.1 in the first decade and 18.9 in the most recent 11 years
  • Pine Warblers ~ Up again to 37 after a fall to 29 last year and a record 53 in 2016; averaging 24.5 in the first decade and 34.5 in the most recent 11 years
  • Hooded Warblers ~ A drop off to 25 after last year's record-setting 35 individuals; averaging 2.3 in the first decade and a whopping 20.4 in the most recent 11 years
  • Borwn--Headed Cowbirds ~ Two straight years of at least two dozen individuals

Taking a fall are:

  • Woodpeckers generally ~ Numbers of Downy and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers diving to 3 and 19 this year from 10 and 31 last year, respectively. Only 1 Hairy Woodpecker (2018). Flickers are never numerous, 2 this year and their 21-year average is 1.3
  • Pileated Woodpeckers ~ Lots of evidence hacked into trees but only 1 is seen (2018) after 5 straight years of 4 or 5 being seen or heard
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatches ~ 12 (2018) but there are fewer over the last 11 years (11.4) compared to the previous decade (15.0)
  • White-Breasted Nuthatches ~ Fall sharply to 11 after a one-year hight of 21 in 2017
  • Wood Thrush numbers go up and down (like the people on the bus). Here are the last six years of up-and-down Wood Thrush data: 11, 19, 9, 16, 13, 6 (2018 to 2013)
  • Scarlet Tanagers ~ Although their numbers go up and down too, we are on a 4-year decline from the second-hgihest number of 23 (2015) to 10 (2018)
  • Pine Warblers ~ Struggling to reach 19 after last year's record high of 53
  • Ovenbirds ~ Only 35 this year; numbering in the 50s and 60s in the first decade and in the 30s and 40s in the most recent 11 years
  • Indigo Buntings ~ Although their numbers increase this year to 17 from last year's 10, they average 25.7 in the first decade and 14.2 in the most recent 11 years, a decline due to open areas filling in with vegetation
  • Chipping Sparrows ~ Continue to decline; averaging 51.5 in the first decade and 38.8 in the most recent 11 years; like Indigo Buntings, Chippers may be affected by the increased vegetation in the Woods. For 3 of 21 years, Chippers are the most numerous species, most recently in 2008

Strong and steady are Grey Catbirds ~ Rarely reaching a dozen individuals but always present; Blue-Headed Vireos ~ Up to 7 this year, present all but 2 (9.5%) of 21 years; Red-Eyed Vireos ~ 36 or more for all but 4 (19.0%) of 21 years; Black-Throated Green Warblers ~ Double-digit numbers for all but 2 (9.5%) of 21 years; Eastern Towhees ~ Not plentiful but there are always 3 to 12 individuals per year.

Making a reappearance after zero individuals for one year of more are Canada Goose (3); Great Blue Heron 1); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (4); Chimney Swift (2); Eastern Phoebe (2); Carolina Wren (3); European Starling (2); Chestnut-Sided Warbler (2): Blue-Winged Warbler (1); and American Redstart (2).

A trend for Stinchfield's birds is the increase in dense vegetation attracting Acadian Flycatchers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Blue-Headed Vireos, Pine Warblers, and Hooded Warblers, and elbowing out Chipping Sparrows and Indigo Buntings.

This year's results now make 26 years of Stinchfield data available online at eBird and 21 years at this Stinchfield web page. Thanks again to our crew of 16 birders who took part in this year's count, breaking the all-time species record, and to the many birders who have participated in this event over its 26-year existence. Thanks also to the SEAS facilities coordinator who meets us bright and early and lingers as long as we do, giving us access to the Woods and its facilities.

After 21 years in charge of the Stinchfield event, I am hanging up my Stinchfield checklists for good and handing things over to Mary Wise. Big heaps of gratitude to Mary for taking over! When John Swales asked for a volunteer to take over this event, I volunteered, never thinking that I'd continue for 21 years. It's been a great experience, and I urge Washtenaw birders to deepen their involvement in our Society's activities and events because of the benefits -- learning new thigns, meeting fun folks, and making a positive and lasting local contributions. Add up all the local contributions out there, and we change the world for the better!

 

Consult the table below for species heard and seen from 1998 to 2018. The table is now closed. Over the last 21 years, the count has averaged 56.9 species and 763.7 individuals. An issue of Michigan Birding and Natural History gives a five-year summary and interpretation of the count's earliest years by two longtime volunteers, J. Latham Claflin and John M. Swales.
Species #18 #17 #16 #15 #14 #13 #12 #11 #10
#09
 #08 #07 #06 #05 #04 #03 #02 #01 #00 #99 #98
Canada Goose
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
0
35
0
0
0
0
Sandhill Crane
0
1
3
0
3
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
2
0
3
2
0
0
0
Great Blue Heron
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
1
0
4
1
1
2
1
1
0
0
0
Green Heron
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Double-creasted Cormorant
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Osprey
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Turkey Vulture
6
5
9
2
0
9
6
8
8
1
2
0
12
2
0
12
7
14
9
4
6
Cooper's Hawk
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
2
6
3
0
1
2
Broad-winged Hawk
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
0
2
1
Red-Tailed Hawk
2
1
3
0
3
0
2
4
1
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
1
Red-Shouldered Hawk
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hawk sp.
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
American Kestral
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ring-billed Gull
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Ruffed Grouse
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Wild Turkey
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
1
8
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
Killdeer
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
Mourning Dove
9
12
12
6
12
9
15
6
9
8
11
4
8
3
6
6
8
5
1
18
9
Black-billed Cuckoo
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
6
3
0
0
2
9
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
3
1
1
1
Barred Owl
0
3
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Great Horned Owl
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Chimney Swift
2
0
2
0
2
0
3
0
1
1
0
2
0
5
4
3
3
4
3
0
2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
2
3
3
1
4
3
1
3
3
4
0
2
2
4
2
5
4
3
1
3
2
Ring-necked Pheasant
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Red-bellied Woodpecker
19
31
21
19
9
12
7
11
10
5
17
9
11
13
17
28
10
15
7
11
4
Downy Woodpecker
3
10
9
12
13
5
4
6
17
9
16
11
9
2
12
4
0
3
10
5
3
Hairy Woodpecker
1
2
7
6
7
5
5
0
5
4
3
0
3
2
2
3
6
2
0
2
0
Pileated Woodpecker
1
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Northern Flicker
2
2
6
1
5
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
5
Eastern Wood Pewee
53
63*
49
52
51
34
47
52
59
48
57
38
47
46
43
44
48
36
30
30
32
Acadian Flycatcher
20
18
16
25
22
19
12
19
25
23
25
16
9
5
3
0
2
2
2
1
8
Willow Flycatcher
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Least Flycatcher
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Great Crested Flycatcher
6
13
6
3
7
3
9
6
8
8
2
2
10
8
11
12
10
7
6
15
6
Eastern Phoebe
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
Olive-sided Flycatcher
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Eastern Kingbird
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
Tree Swallow
0
1
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
4
0
2
0
2
4
1
0
1
0
Barn Swallow
2
3
3
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
1
3
1
6
2
3
0
1
2
1
10
Bank Swallow
1
6
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Rough-winged Swallow
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Purple Martin
0
0
1
1
0
2
6
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
4
2
2
0
1
1
Belted Kingfisher
0
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Mallard
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
Wood Duck
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Blue Jay
47
59
64
56
55
31
44
40
63*
37
24
27
33
33
54
53
63
38
41
59
49
American Crow
15
24
61
68
35
29
66*
31
59
38
39
56
36
45
26
41
48
53
55
37
45
Black-capped Chickadee
56
38
69*
82*
39
27
58
59*
56
50
45
52
49
47
60
80*
89*
75*
45
73
81*
Tufted Titmouse
48
34
25
28
18
21
40
24
22
15
36
33
29
29
31
33
22
21
13
21
29
Red-breasted Nuthatch
12
10
21
12
7
7
19
9
5
15
8
17
18
18
18
11
8
10
20
18
12
White-breasted Nuthatch
11
21
15
20
9
14
22
15
13
12
13
13
11
9
14
6
12
12
8
15
5
Brown Creeper
6
3
7
6
4
2
6
6
10
3
4
3
2
2
7
14
2
5
3
5
3
Species #18 #17 #16 #15 #14 #13 #12 #11
#10
#09
 #08 #07
#06
 #05 #04 #03 #02 #01 #00 #99 #98
Carolina Wren
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
House Wren
7
4
5
0
4
1
0
0
2
0
5
3
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Golden-crowned Kinglet
4
0
2
0
0
3
3
1
9
5
0
8
3
5
1
11
3
2
11
3
18
Blue-grey gnatcatcher
3
10
6
9
4
7
4
2
10
14
11
9
1
3
5
5
1
3
1
3
4
Eastern Bluebird
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
Veery
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Wood Thrush
11
19
9
16
13
6
5
4
6
6
15
12
8
6
2
16
13
5
4
6
6
American Robin
41
32
21
24
31
6
6
8
23
11
5
6
6
5
6
7
8
10
16
17
20
Thrush sp.
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gray Catbird
8
10
11
3
9
8
5
8
7
2
6
10
6
5
4
9
9
5
6
5
4
Cedar Waxwing
15
30
5
12
19
6
32
40
11
21
0
10
42
22
23
22
17
26
45
14
24
European Starling
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
1
0
2
4
2
2
0
0
0
Blue-headed Vireo
7
4
4
2
3
2
2
1
3
5
9
5
5
4
3
3
2
0
0
1
1
Yellow-throated Vireo
3
4
1
6
3
3
7
4
1
5
6
1
3
1
3
6
2
3
0
3
3
Warbling Vireo
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Red-eyed Vireo
48
58
47
53
38
40*
53
39
46
29
46
39
49
39
50
47
41
36
25
30
19
Blue-winged Warbler
1
0
0
1
0
3
1
1
2
2
2
0
5
0
3
2
6
3
6
3
1
Yellow Warbler
2
4
1
0
1
0
2
0
2
0
2
2
4
1
1
5
2
1
2
1
4
Yellow-throated Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chestnut-sided Warbler
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Black-throated Green Warbler
12
15
16
22
15
10
15
8
13
28
13
10
18
16
29
12
16
16
7
13
11
Blackpoll
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
American Redstart
2
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Pine Warbler
37
29
53
32
38
20
44
28
41
30
27
26
23
36
26
31
23
24
15
19
22
Ovenbird
35
36
44
49
44
36
30
36
39
33
50
35
*51
51
*63
63
57
67
*62
54
53
Common Yellowthroat
2
3
1
1
2
5
1
7
1
2
1
3
2
5
3
3
5
4
0
1
3
Hooded Warbler
25
35
29
19
27
24
14
13
18
8
11
1
3
2
3
1
0
2
3
6
2
Yellow-rumped Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
Magnolia Warbler
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Prairie Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Tennessee Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Blackburnian Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
Northern Parula
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Black-throated Blue Warbler
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Black-and-white warbler
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mourning Warbler
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Scarlet Tanager
10
17
20
23
22
14
13
10
22
16
22
21
20
17
9
23
8
24
18
13
12
Northern Cardinal
39
47
40
41
56*
36
44
32
32
32
60
34
44
32
44
48
47
30
52
57
39
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
4
5
3
1
2
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
3
0
Indigo Bunting
17
10
7
13
17
16
12
8
21
17
18
16
19
25
31
34
20
28
31
27
26
Eastern Towhee
11
9
7
5
3
5
7
3
11
7
7
7
9
5
7
6
7
9
10
6
8
Chipping Sparrow
32
28
37
23
37
23
50
43
42
50
62*
57*
28
48
57
45
38
44
53
74*
71
Field Sparrow
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
4
2
7
7
4
5
Swamp Sparrow
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Song Sparrow
3
3
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
0
3
1
2
8
6
9
8
5
Red-winged Blackbird
21
13
14
5
13
3
7
15
2
1
6
3
4
5
4
11
6
7
6
2
2
Common Grackle
1
1
2
2
3
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
3
Brown-headed Cowbird
24
25
7
6
9
17
21
17
19
36
16
20
14
8
15
22
12
0
4
18
12
Baltimore Oriole
2
1
5
5
2
3
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
Orchard Oriole
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
House Finch
1
2
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
4
0
1
0
2
4
American Goldfinch
41
42
31
9
29
19
44
33
25
*56
32
46
42
*57
23
46
44
43
55
39
43
White-throated Sparrow
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Total Named Species
64
61
61
52
56
55
50
54
53
53
57
52
61
61
60
58
61
58
49
61
58
Total Individuals
816
878
872
798
767
575
807
703
800
717
762
688
732
714
 754 871
806
738
717
769
753
Number of observers
16
22
27
16
21
17
19
10
12
21
7
13
12
13
12
17
13
14
19
18
17
Date in June
2
3
12
20
15
2
3
4
13
13
14
16
3
4
4
14
8
9
10
12
6
*Highest number of individuals
in the count for the year.
 
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