Hello everyone,
The creatures of the Island were defending their territory today. We saw a flock of Barn Swallows chase a Cooper’s Hawk across the lagoon. That’s one I’ve never seen before! I saw a Chipmunk chase a Robin down a path. And both Mark C. and I were divebombed and smacked on the back of our heads by a very aggressive Red-winged Blackbird in the meadow. No blood was lost by either of us but we sure were startled.
We found the Robin in the Japanese Garden feeding three chicks and Mike found a Yellow Warbler feeding chicks too. Our raccoon family was home and they watched us as we watched them. They are so adorable!
Osaka is back! Our favorite Black-crowned Night Heron was on their perch above the path in the Japanese Garden. It was great to see them again. Of course we don’t really know if it’s the same bird that hung out there last summer, but I choose to believe that it is.
We spotted a Great Crested Flycatcher on the center path of the Island as well as a Hummingbird. House Wrens were singing everywhere. We had a very nice flock of Cedar Waxwings too.
We had an impromptu community service project. Someone had thrown large, gold, shiny plastic paper confetti all over the path near the entrance to the garden. So we all pitched in and picked it up. I just don’t understand why people feel that damaging a natural area is acceptable in the name of a celebration. I know that no one reading this report would do something like that, but please remind people you know that they shouldn’t do something so destructive.
BIRDERS: Luther, Darby, Maddy, Kristin, Marian, Mike, Jennie, Cheryl, Mark C., Caterina, Daniela, Eric, Gary, Mark M., Lucy, Paul, Miyoko, Jane, Larry, Marisa, Renate and welcome to Amy and Aidan
TIME: 8:00am to 12:00pm
WEATHER: 62 degrees, mostly cloudy
Compiler: Cheryl
Canada Goose Number observed: 65
Wood Duck Number observed: 1
Mallard Number observed: 8
Chimney Swift Number observed: 7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Number observed: 1
Ring-billed Gull Number observed: 6
Herring Gull Number observed: 1
Caspian Tern Number observed: 2
Double-crested Cormorant Number observed: 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Number observed: 3
Green Heron Number observed: 3
Great Egret Number observed: 1
Great Blue Heron Number observed: 3
Cooper's Hawk Number observed: 1
Northern Flicker Number observed: 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee Number observed: 1
Willow Flycatcher Number observed: 2
Eastern Phoebe Number observed: 1
Great Crested Flycatcher Number observed: 1
Eastern Kingbird Number observed: 9
Warbling Vireo Number observed: 9
Red-eyed Vireo Number observed: 1
American Crow Number observed: 3
Black-capped Chickadee Number observed: 1
Tree Swallow Number observed: 3
Purple Martin Number observed: 13
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Number observed: 3
Barn Swallow Number observed: 11
Cliff Swallow Number observed: 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Number observed: 6
House Wren Number observed: 6
European Starling Number observed: 40
Gray Catbird Number observed: 4
American Robin Number observed: 19
Cedar Waxwing Number observed: 18
House Sparrow Number observed: 1
House Finch Number observed: 2
American Goldfinch Number observed: 7
Song Sparrow Number observed: 3
Orchard Oriole Number observed: 6
Baltimore Oriole Number observed: 7
Red-winged Blackbird Number observed: 17
Brown-headed Cowbird Number observed: 4
Common Grackle Number observed: 2
American Redstart Number observed: 1
Yellow Warbler Number observed: 19
Northern Cardinal Number observed: 3
Indigo Bunting Number observed: 1
If you’d like more information about a bird, check out the All About Birds ID guide:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/
Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.
Good birding everyone,
Jennie
Photo: Least flycatcher by Sandra Rothenberg