I was able to get out a little earlier today than yesterday and the day before and took a longer walk around the preserve. Birdlife in general was up today as well. The Pine Siskins, Gold Finches and Purple Finches have for the most part disappeared. I have been hopping to see some of the other winters finches that have been reported widely throughout the region, such as Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill and Evening Grosbeak. I made a point to walk past all the pine trees on the preserve but no signs of them here.
Stat time: 9:25
End time: 12:40
Temp: 41-45
Wind: light wind from the northeast.
Skies: mostly overcast, high clouds
Species Total: 40
Great Blue Heron – 1
Black Vulture – approx. 30
Turkey Vulture – approx. 50
Snow Goose – 12, Bird of the Day! Mixed in with Canada Geese. My only other observation of these was of very high-flying flocks over the preserve last March. Nice to see these on the ground!
Canada Goose – approx. 300
Wood Duck – 2, male and female
Red-shouldered Hawk – 1, I’m still surprised as how often I don’t see these around here.
Red-tailed Hawk – 5, 4 adults and 1 imm.
Rock Dove – 6
Mourning Dove – approx. 25
Belted Kingfisher – 2, heard only
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1, heard only
Downy Woodpecker – approx. 15
Hairy Woodpecker – 2
Blue Jay – approx. 10
American Crow – approx. 300
Carolina Chickadee – approx. 30
Tufted Titmouse – approx. 25
Red-breasted Nuthatch – 1
White-breasted Nuthatch – approx. 15
Brown Creeper – 1
Carolina Wren – approx. 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet – 4
Eastern Bluebird – approx. 100! These popped up over night.
American Robin – approx. 30
Northern Mockingbird – 2
European Starling – approx. 20
Cedar Waxwing – approx. 15
Eastern Towhee – approx. 5
Fox Sparrow – 2, Runner up bird of the day. First of the season!
Song Sparrow – approx. 50
Swamp Sparrow – 1
White-throated Sparrow – approx. 250
Dark-eyed Junco – approx. 50
Northern Cardinal – 6
Red-winged Blackbird – approx. 600
Common Grackle – 6
House Finch – approx. 75
American Goldfinch – 5
