The Red-tailed Hawk shown here “greeted” us as we approached the gate. Actually, it was in position to watch for prey moving in the grasslands below.
The Red-tailed Hawk shown here “greeted” us as we approached the gate. Actually, it was in position to watch for prey moving in the grasslands below.
Eleven bird folks then made their way along the one lane limestone road. Each car was equipped with a 2-way radio. The field on the right that consistently produced a kestrel in years past had been plowed recently in preparation for planting. The elimination of prey habitat likely caused this raptor to be missing. (Afternote: The Kestrel was sighted by 3 members of the group as they were exiting. The Kestrel did not disappoint. )
The ranger station area was more productive. Several folks had a good look at a Yellow-throated Warbler. This warbler is unusual in that the female looks nearly identical to the male. The best way to distinguish one in the field is by the song. If it sings, it’s a male. Here is an awesome observation: The female cardinal is one of the few female birds that is known to sing. We were all intrigued by this tiny green frog. It did not measure more than an inch.
At the end of a side road, everyone except Rey Wells made the trek to the glade that a spring creek runs through. Rey attempted to get a photo of a singing Yellow-throated Warbler whose territory included the parking area. The only sighting of the bird was when it flew across a fire road that separated two stands of pines.
Next, we visited the newish board walk and elevated platform that overlooks a many acre wetland. Sightings there included Pied-billed Grebes, a Little Blue Heron that sported some breeding plumage, and a pair of Great Egrets that were moving around quite a bit together in the distance. They might have been competing males, or they may have been male and female in courtship mode. From there, at the suggestion of Chris Green, the manager of the property, we drove a bit and then walked to a stand of pines where Brown-headed Nuthatches were known to be. Given that it was late morning, a recording was played in an effort to activate one. None appeared, but two experienced birders reported that they heard a reply.
It was a picture perfect morning to be out in nature with others who share a common interest. 40 species were tallied for the morning.
Next, we visited the newish board walk and elevated platform that overlooks a many acre wetland. Sightings there included Pied-billed Grebes, a Little Blue Heron that sported some breeding plumage, and a pair of Great Egrets that were moving around quite a bit together in the distance. They might have been competing males, or they may have been male and female in courtship mode. From there, at the suggestion of Chris Green, the manager of the property, we drove a bit and then walked to a stand of pines where Brown-headed Nuthatches were known to be. Given that it was late morning, a recording was played in an effort to activate one. None appeared, but two experienced birders reported that they heard a reply.
It was a picture perfect morning to be out in nature with others who share a common interest. 40 species were tallied for the morning.
RSS Feed
