Today was a good day as I added three new species to the preserve list! The Preserve list is now 161 and my personal list is 141. Green-winged Teal, Cackling Goose, and Black-capped Chickadee. The teal, eight in all, were amongst the first birds I saw when I arrived as they were sitting down stream from the bridge over the Brandywine. They were still there as I left. The chickadee was at the old farm pond. I have suspected that there were probably a few mixed in with the Carolina Chickadees, but wasn’t really sure until today when one was singing and calling. That removed all doubt. The bird of the day however was the Cackling Goose that flew in over the preserve with about 45 other Canada Geese. These are considered rare on the east coast of North America and are pretty easy to identify, especially if they are with Canada Geese as the Cacklers are about half their size.
Here is a complete rundown of the day’s observations. Notable species in bold.
Stat time: 8:45
End time: 11:15
Temp: 57
Wind: none
Skies: overcast
Species Total: 45
Double-crested Cormorant – A flock of about 200 flew over around 10:30. By far the largest flock I have seen here.
Great Blue Heron – 1, observed from a distance of about 25’ were it caught and consumed a shrew.
Turkey Vulture – approx. 25
Canada Goose – approx. 100
Cackling Goose – 1, Bird of the Day! New species for the preserve.
Wood Duck – 2
Green-winged Teal – 8 on the Brandywine. New species for the preserve.
Bald Eagle – 1, immature
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1
Cooper's Hawk – 1
Red-tailed Hawk – 3
Rock Dove – 4
Mourning Dove – approx. 50
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1, heard only
Downy Woodpecker – 5
Hairy Woodpecker – 2
Northern Flicker – 1
Blue-headed Vireo – 1, at bridge over stream from old farm pond. Same location as other observations.
Blue Jay – approx. 40
American Crow – approx. 30
Carolina Chickadee – approx. 15
Black-capped Chickadee – 1, new species for the preserve.
Tufted Titmouse – approx. 20
White-breasted Nuthatch – approx. 10
Carolina Wren – 7
Golden-crowned Kinglet – approx. 20
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – approx. 15
Eastern Bluebird – approx. 50
American Robin – approx. 250
Northern Mockingbird – 4
European Starling – approx. 100
Yellow-rumped Warbler – approx. 40
Palm Warbler – 1
Eastern Towhee – approx. 10
Field Sparrow – 4
Song Sparrow – approx. 40
Swamp Sparrow – approx. 10
White-throated Sparrow – approx. 100
White-crowned Sparrow – 1
Northern Cardinal – approx. 30
Red-winged Blackbird – approx. 40
Purple Finch – approx.30
House Finch – approx. 75
American Goldfinch – approx.30
