The Stroud Preserve, 28 February 2013

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The winter doldrums continue. But as with every passing day slight changes are abound. Today I observed Black Vultures exhibiting pair bonding activities over head. It does appear as if the winter residents are clearing out. I saw no Dark-eyed Juncos at all today and very few White-throated Sparrows. The only Canada Geese that I saw were a large flock high above the preserve heading north.

Eastern Towhee numbers are starting to climb. I’ve been surprised at how difficult towhees have been to detect over the winter. There have been many days where I didn’t see them at all. I’ve mostly only seen them in one spot all winter, which is in the brush below the high tension power lines. They have been largely absent from the rest of the preserve. Today I saw or heard them in many different areas.

The Great Horned Owl made a subtle change today. Up till now, I have only seen the head and a small portion of her back as she sat on the nest. Today she was sitting a lot higher. I could see perhaps 75% of her body. My guess is that the chicks are hatched and starting to move around a little. I’m looking forward to seeing the first little fluffy head pop up!

Start time: 10:15

End time: 12:00

Temp: 37-40°

Wind: slight from the west

Skies: overcast

Species Total: 32

  • Black Vulture – 4
  • Turkey Vulture – approximately 12
  • Canada Goose – approximately 250
  • Red-tailed Hawk – 5, 4 adults and 1 immature
  • Ring-billed Gull – 1
  • Mourning Dove – 2
  • Great Horned Owl – 1, same bird, same place
  • Belted Kingfisher – 1
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker – approximately 10
  • Downy Woodpecker – approximately 5
  • Hairy Woodpecker – 1
  • Blue Jay – approximately 12
  • American Crow – approximately 50
  • Fish Crow – 8
  • Carolina Chickadee – 4
  • Tufted Titmouse – approximately 10
  • White-breasted Nuthatch – 5
  • Carolina Wren – approximately 10
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet – 1, heard only
  • Eastern Bluebird – approximately 25
  • American Robin – 2
  • Northern Mockingbird – 4
  • European Starling – approximately 30
  • American Pipit – 2
  • Eastern Towhee – approximately 12
  • Savannah Sparrow – 1
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 30
  • Swamp Sparrow – 1
  • White-throated Sparrow – approximately 20
  • Northern Cardinal – approximately 12
  • Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 100
  • House Finch – 4

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