The Stroud Preserve, 25 February 2013

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With each passing day, the present one few minutes longer than the last, more and more signs of spring steadily appear, at least with the avifauna. Today there was a change in the sparrow population. Song sparrows were more distributed across the preserve all the while constantly singing. White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Junco’s were nearly absent. Other birds (Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, Eastern Bluebird, and Eastern Towhee) were much more vocal than they have been. I am expecting the first swallows any day now.

The Great Horned Owls was still on her nest. I have seen no signs of nestlings yet, however, it shouldn’t be too much longer before they pop up. The crows are still harassing her endlessly. There were at least 10 Fish Crows in the mix today. It will be interesting to see if they stay in the area for nesting.

Start time: 9:00

End time: 11:30

Temp: 32-40°

Wind: slight from the east

Skies: Clear

Species Total: 35

  • Black Vulture – approximately 40
  • Turkey Vulture – approximately 30
  • Canada Goose – approximately 300
  • Mallard – approximately 15
  • Northern Harrier – 2, immature or female
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1 adult, probably a female
  • Red-tailed Hawk – approximately 10, 3 immature, the rest adults
  • Mourning Dove – 1, first one in several weeks
  • Great Horned Owl – 1, same bird, same spot
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker – approximately 10
  • Downy Woodpecker – approximately 5, heard only
  • Hairy Woodpecker – 2
  • Northern Flicker – 1
  • Blue Jay – approximately 12
  • American Crow – approximately 50
  • Fish Crow – approximately 10
  • Carolina Chickadee – approximately 10
  • Tufted Titmouse – approximately 10
  • White-breasted Nuthatch – approximately 5
  • Carolina Wren – approximately 12
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet – 2
  • Eastern Bluebird – approximately 25
  • Northern Mockingbird – 5
  • European Starling – approximately 20
  • American Pipit – approximately 20, I saw one group of 5 birds, there were three other groups that I heard only and couldn’t be picked out the great expanse of blue overhead.
  • Eastern Towhee – 5
  • Savannah Sparrow – 3
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 50
  • Swamp Sparrow – 1, first one in several weeks
  • White-throated Sparrow – approximately 20!
  • Dark-eyed Junco – 1!
  • Northern Cardinal – approximately 12
  • Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 70
  • Common Grackle – 3
  • House Finch – 2

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