The Stroud Preserve, 12 March 2014

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After getting the kids off to school I looked at the clock this morning and determined I could get about an one hour walk in at the Stroud Preserve before I headed off to work. The first bird I saw as I pulled into the parking lot was a male American Kestrel. They are always nice to see. At the large field to the north just after the bridge over the Brandy Wine were approximately 25 Mallards, 12 Green-wing Teals, and 3 male Northern Pintails in a wet depression in the middle of the field. The teal and pintails are very uncommon at the preserve. Scanning a little further back I could easily see 15 or so Canada Geese scattered about. What was more difficult to see against the white back ground of snow that was still there was a immature Tundra Swan! A first for me at the preserve!

The other spectacle was a giant flock of blackbirds. My best guess at the number of birds was between 75,000 and 100,000. This flock was foraging in the open fields on the west end of the preserve. I spent about 20 minutes looking it over. Much to my surprise it was nearly all Red-winged Blackbirds. In all I could only find about 20 Common Grackles and about 25 European Starlings. Large portions of the flock took to the air and flew a short distance to land in another section of the field. When it did I kept an eye out for other species like Yellow-headed Blackbird, but could find nothing. Still, seeing such a large group of living organisms is a pretty awesome thing.

For such a short walk, and one where I kept up a decent clip, I saw many interesting things. I was so rushed that I completely forgot to take a photo for the blog header. The best part of the walk was on the way back to my car. As the sun came out and the temperature hit 50° a total 8 Tree Swallows flew over head. Regardless of the spring equinox, I always consider my first Tree Swallows the first day of spring. May the thaw begin!

 

Start time: 10:30

End time: 11:38

Temp: 48°- 50°F

Wind: 5 mph from the SE

Skies: Overcast

Species Total: 32

 

  • Great Blue Heron – 1
  • Black Vulture – 1
  • Turkey Vulture – 2
  • Canada Goose – approximately 250
  • Tundra Swan – 1 immature
  • Mallard – 45
  • Northern Pintail – 3
  • Green-winged Teal – 12
  • Common Merganser – 3
  • Red-tailed Hawk – 2
  • American Kestrel – 2
  • Mourning Dove – approximately 15
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker – 5, heard only
  • Downy Woodpecker – 1, heard only
  • Northern Flicker – 1, heard only
  • Blue Jay – approximately 10
  • American Crow – approximately 15
  • Fish Crow – approximately 10
  • Tree Swallow – 8
  • Carolina Chickadee – 5
  • Tufted Titmouse – 2
  • White-breasted Nuthatch – 2
  • Carolina Wren – 1
  • Eastern Bluebird – approximately 10
  • American Robin – approximately 25
  • Northern Mockingbird – 1
  • European Starling – approximately 25
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 10
  • White-throated Sparrow – 3
  • Northern Cardinal – 5
  • Red-winged Blackbird – 75,000 to 100,000!
  • Common Grackle – approximately 20