My wife and I had to be in north-central Michigan, so yesterday we took the 
Kirtland's Warbler tour given by the US Fish and Wildlife Service out of 
Grayling, which is about 6.5-7 hours no. of Columbus. The tour is free and led 
by a knowledgeable Forest Service birder. The tour is a gentle walk on a two-
track trail into a 2nd-growth jack pine forest about 10 minutes from Grayling. 
Tours begin at 7:00 and 11:00 a.m. and last 2-3 hours. We took the 7:00 tour 
and had excellent viewings of about 8 male Kirtland's Warblers singing on 
territory. Also saw 1 male Palm Warbler singing on territory, Clay-Colored 
Sparrows, Vesper Sparrow, and other common species. Saw a Cowbird trap and 
learned about the Cowbird-trapping program. Heard but didn't see a Lincoln's 
Sparrow. There have been Upland Sandpipers in the tract we entered, but none 
were heard or seen yesterday. It was a great way to observe and enjoy the 
beautiful and striking Kirtland's Warblers. Various tours are offered in the 
area. We took the USFWS tour because it is free. Their Website says to go to 
the Grayling Ramada Inn parking lot, but the tour actually begins in the 
Ramada Inn Maple Room. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.

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