The Stroud Preserve, 5 April 2013

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A starting temperature above 40°! Plus the low wind made for a very pleasant day outdoors. Like yesterday, the bird species composition has not changed very much. However, the number of individual birds in the winter visitor category continues to drop. Woodpecker contact drumming seems to be the dominant bird sound in the wooded areas. Red-bellied and Downy are the most active. Hairy Woodpecker has been notably absent. They should be around as I know that at least two pairs nested in the preserve last breeding season. I am excited about the presence of the Pileated Woodpeckers. That is still the most uncommon woodpecker in the preserve. I would be surprised if they nested here as most of the woodlands are pretty fragmented. But, birds are much better at habitat assessment than I am so we will see.

Start time: 8:45

End time: 11:35

Temp: 41-51°

Wind: 0-8 from the north

Skies: mostly clear

Species Total:

  • Great Blue Heron – 1
  • Black Vulture – approximately 15
  • Turkey Vulture – approximately 30
  • Canada Goose – approximately 12
  • Bald Eagle – 2 adults
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk – 3 adults
  • Red-tailed Hawk – 5, 1 immature, 4 adults
  • American Kestrel – 1 female
  • Killdeer – 1
  • Mourning Dove – 2
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker – approximately 10
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1
  • Downy Woodpecker – approximately 15
  • Northern Flicker – 2
  • Pileated Woodpecker – 2
  • Eastern Phoebe – approximately 10
  • Blue Jay – approximately 10
  • American Crow – 5
  • Tree Swallow – approximately 300
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow – 5
  • Barn Swallow – 1
  • Carolina Chickadee – approximately 15
  • Tufted Titmouse – approximately 10
  • White-breasted Nuthatch – 3
  • Carolina Wren – approximately 10
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet – 1
  • Eastern Bluebird – approximately 10
  • American Robin – approximately 50
  • Northern Mockingbird – 3
  • European Starling – approximately 50
  • Eastern Towhee – approximately 10, heard only
  • Field Sparrow – approximately 15, many singing
  • Savannah Sparrow – 1 heard only
  • Fox Sparrow – 1
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 75
  • White-throated Sparrow – approximately 25
  • Northern Cardinal – approximately 15
  • Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 100
  • Common Grackle – approximately 12
  • Brown-headed Cowbird – approximately 20
  • House Finch – 2
  • American Goldfinch – 4