Eliza Howell Nature Walk

The 11 Birds of March: Migrants Start to Return

Leonard Weber

March 8, 2024

When March arrives in Eliza Howell Park, it is time to expect the return of the first of the bird species that migrated south for the winter.

Over the years it has become clear: the earliest returning migrants, 11 of them, very likely to show up in March.

Here are the March 11.

1. Wood Duck

First observed in EHP in the previous 10 years (2014 – 2023):

In March – 9 times; in February – once

In 2024 – February 28

Wood Duck male and female, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

2. Common Grackle

In 2014 – 2023: March – 9 times;  February – once.

In 2024: March 1.

Common Grackle, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

3. Red-winged Blackbird

In 2014 – 2023: March – 7 times;  February – 3 times.

In 2024: February 23

Red-winged Blackbird male and female, photos courtesy of Margaret Weber

4. Brown-headed Cowbird

In 2014 – 2023: March – 10 times

In 2024: March 3

Brown-headed Cowbird male and female, photos courtesy of Margaret Weber

5. Killdeer

In 2014 – 2023: March – 8 times;  February – once; April- once

In 2024: February 26

Killdeer, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

6. Eastern Bluebird

In 2014 – 2023: March – 9 times;  February  – once

In 2024 – February 22

Eastern Bluebird male and female, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

7. Song Sparrow

In 2014 – 2023: March – 8 times; February – twice

In 2024 – March 6

Song Sparrow,  photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

The above seven species are the ones that I have observed so far this year. Most of them have arrived a little earlier than usual, perhaps because this has been a warm winter.

The March arrivals are short-distance migrants, spending the winter only hundreds of miles away, rather than thousands. The ones that will arrive in April and May go longer distances (more about them later).

8. Turkey Vulture

In 2014 – 2023: March – 10 times

In 2024: Not yet observed

Turkey Vulture,  photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

The Turkey Vulture is the first one on this list that doesn’t nest in the park* (at least, I don’t think that it does). It is a scavenger and can often be seen from about the middle of  March to October, flying over as it seeks food.

(*Note: Cowbirds don’t make their own nests, but lay eggs in the nests of other species.)

9.Great Blue Heron

In 2014 – 2023: March – 8 times; April – twice.

In 2024: Not yet observed.

Great Blue Heron, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

The Great Blue Heron also visits the park while foraging for food, but does not nest here. A colony nesting species, the ones seen here might  nest in a the rookery a few miles downstream along the Rouge River.

10. Eastern Phoebe

In 2014 – 2023: March – 7 times; April- 3 times.

In 2024: Not yet observed.

Eastern Phoebe, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

11. Northern Flicker

In 2014 – 2023: March – 7 times; April –  3 times.

In 2024: Not yet observed.

Northern Flicker, photo courtesy of Margaret Weber

Sometimes, one or more of these 11 species is seen in southern Michigan in the winter, including in Eliza Howell Park; we are near the northern edge of their winter range. But that doesn’t happen very often. I do not expect to see them before March and I do expect to see them in March.

There is a very real way in which a  new year starts about the beginning of March.

Eliza Howell nature walks

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