There was something about today’s walk at the preserve that reminded me of the Pacific Northwest, but I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it. The weather was overcast with just enough drizzle to make things damp and it wasn’t really all that cold, about 50. Perhaps, I’ll figure it out later.
Birds were actually quite numerous and active despite the pissy weather. There were many Song and White-throated Sparrows along the edges of the trails as well as a large flock of blackbirds and grackles. Aerial species like Black and Turkey Vultures, were mostly absent (only one of each!). The biggest surprise of the day was an out of season Osprey perched in a tree over the Brandywine as I left the preserve.
Stat time: 8:50
End time: 11:50
Temp: 46-50
Wind: none
Skies: overcast with light mist
Species Total: 38
Black Vulture – 1
Turkey Vulture – 1
Canada Goose – approximately 250
Mallard – 2
Osprey – 1, Bird of the Day!
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1, immature
Cooper's Hawk – 1 immature
Red-tailed Hawk – 1
Mourning Dove – approximately 200
Belted Kingfisher – 1, heard only
Red-bellied Woodpecker – approximately 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 2, heard only
Downy Woodpecker – approximately 10
Hairy Woodpecker – 1
Northern Flicker – 1
Blue Jay – approximately 15
American Crow – approximately 150
Carolina Chickadee – approximately 10
Tufted Titmouse – 1
White-breasted Nuthatch – 4
Carolina Wren – approximately 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet – 2
Eastern Bluebird – approximately 35
American Robin – approximately 20
Northern Mockingbird – 3
European Starling – approximately 10
Eastern Towhee – 1, heard only
Field Sparrow – 1
Fox Sparrow – 1
Song Sparrow – approximately 350
Swamp Sparrow – 5
White-throated Sparrow – approximately 500
Dark-eyed Junco – approximately 100
Northern Cardinal – approximately 25
Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 150
Common Grackle – approximately 1000
House Finch – approximately 35
American Goldfinch – approximately 15
