11th annual Chequamegon Bay Bird Fest

Tuesday May 16, 2017: We left Birchwood at about 9:30 am to attend our 7th annual bird fest, it is the 11th annual for the fest itself. The rain had stopped when we left home but by the time we got to Hayward it was raining, and rained the entire trip to Washburn, about 85 miles.  When we arrived at Thompson West End Campground at 11:30ish the rain had stopped!  We were able to set up without getting wet. As soon as we set up the rain began again.  It lasted about an hour, (time for lunch and nap) we headed out to the big lake to walk and look for birds.  We ended up with 2 new year birds and 9 new month birds.  not bad for a rainy overcast day.  We made a stop at the Nickel's Worth bar for a beer, then to the South Side Brewery for a beer then finally to Patsy's for a great taco Tuesday dinner.  It rained hard while we were at the A Nickel's Worth bar but other than that we lucked out with the weather.  We enjoy this campground as it is easy to walk to stores and restaurants and of course it is right on Lake Superior.

It rained pretty hard for about an hour after we returned from dinner.  There were tornados further south near home.  Don't think we were affected but won't know until we get back home on Sunday..


Wednesday May 17:  another rainy day.  We went to Ashland for the morning, the weather was not too bad, overcast but not cold or windy.

We found a Ruddy Turnstone

and some Least Scaups

After walking around for about 2.5 hours the rain began..  we headed to the Barrons near Ino Wis.  The radar showed that it was not raining there, but it was..  We hiked a little before giving into the rain.  Time for a nap!  We finally got out for another walk at about 3 pm.  The mist got a bit heavier so we headed back.  After checking in for the birding fest we went to Hugos for a wonderful pizza dinner in Ashland.  Although the weather tried to keep us down we ended up with 5 new year birds and 9 new month!  imagine if the weather was better!!

Thursday April 18, first day of the fest.  We met our group at 6:00 am! to go to Bark Bay area.  Of course it was raining!!  By the time we arrived at our area the rain turned to mist.  It was a bit cold and windy but we were sheltered by the trees.

there is a Lewis's Woodpecker that had lost his way, ending up in Wisconsin.

After our morning outing and before our afternoon tour we stopped for a wonderful walk by the lake.

Our afternoon program was at Frog Bay Tribal National Park.

It was made a Tribal National Park,  the first run completely by Native Americans, in the US.

In a first for the U.S., the Red Cliff Chippewa is creating Frog Bay Tribal National Park on nearly 89 acres of its reservation and opening the lakeshore property and its views of the Apostle Islands to the public.

The park's canopy of old towering trees - hemlock, white pine, white spruce, balsam fir, yellow birch and white cedar - marks a healthy and diverse boreal forest community, uncommon in Wisconsin even before settlement,

Our walk took us down to the beach.  beautiful sand beach, across from 5 of the Apostle Islands.

although the day was cold, misty and a bit windy we seen 6 new year birds and 9 new month birds. our count is going up!!

After we left our group we headed to Bayfield for a short walk, dinner of white fish and a corned beef sandwich at Morty's.   The sun finally came out as we were eating dinner!

Friday May 19:  The sun was out at 5:45 when we left for our mornings bird trip.  We went to Little Sand Bay north of Bayfield.  Although cold it was sunny!

here we are looking at a Northern Parula.

We found multiple warblers this morning.

Cape May Warbler

after leaving our group we went to the Les Voight Fish Hatchery.  we seen 14 different warblers and these very mad geese.  It looked liked the one goose was trying to drown the other.. how weird

todays count:  1 for the year, 4 for the month.

we walked over to Patsy's for Friday Fish Fry, wonderful fresh whitefish from Lake Superior.  We bought some smoked whitefish spread to take home.  It too is wonderful...

Saturday May 20:  Another cold morning, the wind began to howl from the north.  We went to Iron River today.  We went on this trip last year when it was in the 70's.  It turned out to be a good bird day.  Our usual dinner spot on Saturday night is the Steak Pit right down the street from us.  Since it was raining we had to drive, good thing, the place was closed!  not sure why or for how long.  We ended up at another go to place in Ashland, the Deep Water Grill.  Our food was fabulous, so was the service.

 After 7 years of attending we tend to see some people from previous years.  It is fun to talk to them about what they have been seeing.  Our count for the day 2 new year and 4 new month.

Our total for the festival: Unfortunately no new life birds.  We got 16 new Year birds and 36 new Month birds.  not too bad for such crappy weather.  It was a fun week in spite of cold, windy and rainy weather.

We thought if the weather was good that we would stay a few more days but...  we will head home on Sunday.