Hello everyone,
Whew, was it hot and humid. The birds must have felt the heat too because they were a bit more subdued than usual. They were calling but not flying around as much as usual. Many of the birds we did see were having a nice breakfast of the now-ripe mulberries.
A couple early arrivers to the walk were lucky enough to see a Red-headed Woodpecker, which is not a frequent visitor to our park. We had a nice number of Cedar Waxwings which we often (but not always) heard more than saw. We did find several nests, including two Oriole nests, and some birders were lucky enough to see some Black-capped Chickadee fledglings!
A highlight of the day was the three Great Crested Flycatchers that were flying about, giving us great looks, and calling repeatedly. They didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat.
Since our migrants have departed, we’re getting into the quiet time of the summer but it gives us an opportunity to study and enjoy our local birds. Having visitors from the west coast also gives us a greater appreciation of our residents, when our guests tell us that Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole and Eastern Kingbird are lifers for them. It’s fun to watch them get so excited.
BIRDERS: Marian, Jennie, Cheryl, Mark M., Mike, Jen, Hal, Kristin, Katie, Traci, Jan, Caterina, Eric, Luther, Claire R., Jack, Lucy, Tracy, Bil, Robert, Simone, Melissa, Pam, Andy and welcome to Juan, Sarah, Chris, Roger S., and Claire and Greg who were visiting from L.A.
TIME: 8:00am to 11:30am
WEATHER: Sunny, 80 degrees and rising rapidly
Compiler: Cheryl
Canada Goose Number observed: 61
Mallard Number observed: 12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Number observed: 2
Chimney Swift Number observed: 12
Ring-billed Gull Number observed: 5
Caspian Tern Number observed: 1
Green Heron Number observed: 1
Great Blue Heron Number observed: 1
Red-headed Woodpecker Number observed: 2
Downy Woodpecker Number observed: 1
Northern Flicker Number observed: 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee Number observed: 2
Great Crested Flycatcher Number observed: 3
Eastern Kingbird Number observed: 4
Warbling Vireo Number observed: 3
Blue Jay Number observed: 1
American Crow Number observed: 4
Black-capped Chickadee Number observed: 5
Tree Swallow Number observed: 1
Purple Martin Number observed: 16
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Number observed: 1
Barn Swallow Number observed: 12
Cliff Swallow Number observed: 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Number observed: 1
Northern House Wren Number observed: 2
European Starling Number observed: 16
Gray Catbird Number observed: 5
American Robin Number observed: 9
Cedar Waxwing Number observed: 8
House Sparrow Number observed: 1
American Goldfinch Number observed: 2
Song Sparrow Number observed: 2
Orchard Oriole Number observed: 3
Baltimore Oriole Number observed: 7
Red-winged Blackbird Number observed: 7
Brown-headed Cowbird Number observed: 1
Common Grackle Number observed: 2
Common Yellowthroat Number observed: 1
Yellow Warbler Number observed: 10
Northern Cardinal Number observed: 2
Indigo Bunting Number observed: 3
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: Bobolink by Diane Taylor