Link to Trip Report – https://ebird.org/tripreport/363665

Welcome to J’s Big Market of Crazy Ideas! On today’s episode I talk about birding in 16 states and Canada in only 10 days. This 2600 mile journey will undoubtedly be laborious and hopefully rewarding.

When I began planning this trip the only objective was to begin my quest of getting a complete checklist in all fifty states. Admittedly, many of these states I plan to go birding in once and then, most likely, I will never enter them again (I’m looking at you Ohio). 

After all, I was born in flyover country. Having spent nearly 40 years there, I feel as though there is nothing left for me to see. However, my feelings are not reality. This trip occurs during spring migration partially under the Mississippi flyway. Over three hundred species use this path each year. There are a number of those birds that I have yet to see. 

I knew I wanted to visit Magee Marsh and Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Beyond that, I didn’t have any idea where the birds would be. The easy part was figuring out the path I wanted to take. This was simply a matter of checking off as many states as possible for the time available to me. 

Initially, I thought I would stop in Illinois first to visit my parents. Then I would drive a giant clockwise loop. After exploring a few hotspots it became clear that I was completely backwards in my approach. The birds were about a week earlier in the southern locations as in the northern. This makes sense as they are moving north. I just hadn’t realized that the trend was that pronounced. I changed my direction to move with the birds as much as I could for the best chance to find my targets.

My loop would go counter clockwise. I would begin in Arkansas, then move over to the edges of the eastern states, working my way up to, and then along, the great lakes before returning to see my family in Illinois.

As I began to look at the best regarded spots to bird in each state I found that there was no way to see all of them. In some states I would simply have to pick a spot to visit because it was on the way and not because it was known for birds. I was covering too much ground in too little time for a thorough trip to be possible. Some birding stops would be short and others long. I need to spend more time at prime hotspots and less time at all others. It is not a concession I like to make, but it is the only approach that makes the timeline achievable.

Allow me to share the details of this undertaking beginning with the twenty four species that would be lifers for me on this trip. Some are very likely and others not so much. Even with bad fortune I should be able to see four to five of these. A great trip would be fifteen or more.

The birds I hope to find are Chuck-wills-widow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Alder Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Purple Gallinule, European Goldfinch, Ruffed Grouse, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Monk Parakeet, Yellow Rail, King Rail, Black Rail, Bachman Sparrow, Nelson Sparrow, American Woodcock, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Canada Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Kirtland Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Prairie Warbler, and Swainson Warbler.

The locations I chose and the rationale behind them are listed below. Once you view the scope of this list you’ll probably think I have a screw loose or two. That’s okay, after working through the logistics of it, I’m on your side.

Arkansas – Woolsey Wet Prairie – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L502940/bird-list

Short visit – My main goal of stopping in Arkansas is to find the Red-cockaded woodpecker and Bachman Sparrow. These birds are found in specialized habitats. This means that I will not see a great variety of other species while searching for them. In anticipation of this, I’m stopping at Woolsey because it is at the end of a long travel day and if I have time, I can add more species to my Arkansas list.

Arkansas – Ouachita NF – Buffalo Rd – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L365342/bird-list

Long visit – I’m here for only two birds; the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Bachman Sparrow. I’ve allotted myself a good deal of time to find them. If found first thing (and good photos are taken) I’m off to another, yet to be determined, location.

Mississippi – Sardis Lake – Hurricane Landing Campground – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1001527/bird-list

Short visit – I’m just here to log any species I can. For these extreme southern states I want to spend another vacation birding them extensively along the gulf. For now, I thought it would be fun to make short stops up north and try to log as many species as time permits. 

Alabama – Coleman Lake Campground – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L833263/bird-list

Short visit – This is the most promising looking spot (which isn’t saying much) that was on the way to Georgia. This location also gives me another chance at the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

Georgia – Kennesaw Mtn National Battlefield Park – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L160481/bird-list

Long visit – This is the first spot I’m looking forward to. There is an elevated road here that puts birders at treetop level. I’m hoping to find more than a few warblers, especially those high canopy specialists.

Georgia – Brasstown Bald Mtn – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L300051/bird-list

Long visit – I intend to try and find a Ruffed Grouse here. There are also a few upper elevation specialists that occasionally show up. If I find the grouse early on, I will likely shorten my stay and leave for the next stop. If it’s birdy though, all bets are off. This will be my first time birding under the Atlantic Flyway.

South Carolina – Caesar’s Head SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L291707/bird-list

Short visit – Logging birds.

North Carolina – Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L166279/bird-list

Short visit – Logging birds.

Tennessee – Roan Mountain SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L353075/bird-list

Long visit – This is my second best chance to see a ruffed grouse.

Virginia – Breaks Interstate Park – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L718336/bird-list

Short visit – Logging birds.

Kentucky – Breaks Interstate Park – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4578085/bird-list

Short visit – Logging birds.

West Virginia – Cranberry Glades Botanical Area – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L463361/bird-list

Boardwalk – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1218691/bird-list

This is where it starts to get exciting. There are some nesting warblers here and a variety of migrants that also pass through.

Maryland – Swallow Falls SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L126625/bird-list

Short visit – Logging birds.

Pennsylvania – Presque Isle SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L129756/bird-list

Long visit – This isn’t a guaranteed migrant trap but it has been at times and it is worth a chance. All along the great lakes birds stop to rest before crossing. I’ve planned a number of stops in these migrant traps.

Ohio – Mentor Marsh – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L254786/bird-list

Short visit – This is maybe the best chance I will have to hear a Yellow Rail.

Ohio – Magee Marsh – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L275986/bird-list

Long visit – Magee Marsh is warbler central. This is the only place I am birding for multiple days. I have planned an evening and morning visit.

Canada – Point Pelee – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L131153/bird-list

Short visit – Migrant trap. I want to get Canada under my belt. This trip will be to the southernmost point of the country. This is also where I begin keeping an eye out for European Goldfinches. 

Michigan – Warren Dunes SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L284602/bird-list

Long visit – Migrant trap.

Indiana – Indiana Dunes SP – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L335435/bird-list

Long visit – Migrant trap.

Indiana – Hammond Lakefront Park – https://ebird.org/hotspot/L157757/bird-list

Long visit – Migrant trap. Additionally, my search for a Monk Parakeet begins. If something truly rare shows up at Montrose Point this location could get switched or reversed in order.

Illinois – Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary –  https://ebird.org/hotspot/L161180/bird-list

Long visit – Migrant trap. I have always wanted to go birding here. Based on the map there doesn’t appear to be much ground to cover. Short of a fallout occurring, this could be a faster stop than anticipated

This concludes my loop, or perhaps the route is more accurately described as a backwards C.

After this, I end up down in Central Illinois to visit family and bird wherever I wish. I’ll be hitting my birding patch every morning and then on my return out west I will add Iowa to my “been there done that” list. This trip will be far too busy to write and post along the way. However, you should definitely expect a recap upon my return.

Until then, have a merry migration and a happy fallout!