Weekly Report - 2017-04-07 - BIRD SPECIES #116 & FOY BIRD!
As you can tell by the excessive capitalization in the title, I had a thrilling walk on the trail this morning despite the damp, overcast conditions that greeted me up on my arrival.
Things were slow as I walked up to the trail. I heard a few Dark-eyed Juncos chipping along the edge of the parking lot and a few American Robins foraging on the curbside. Once on the trail, many birds were singing springtime songs despite the cold temperatures. I even witnessed a heated exchange between two Northern Cardinals who were battling for the attention of the nearby female bird. Both males hovered together in a sort of pecking match to establish their dominance! A fascinating and colorful observation on this dreary morning!
Then, as I turned around, I observed high and far over Deer Meadow Circle, a solitary bird in flight. I put up my bins and immediately identified it as a Common Loon, the 116th species observed on the Nature Trail! Common Loon are usually associated with the state of Maine, where they echo their signature song and breed on freshwater ponds. However, Common Loon do spend their winters on large bodies of water in our area. If you venture to the Delaware River, Marsh Creek State Park, the Delaware Bayshore, or the Atlantic Ocean in winter, one can find Common Loon in decent numbers. Once away from water, Common Loon are only seen flying en route to their next pond, which was the case this morning. This bird was heading north so I am presuming it will be on its native breeding grounds pretty soon. This bird will be added to the Birds of Bethel Springs checklist in its next revision!
Also of note, I observed a first of the year (FOY) Tree Swallow! These birds often nest in the bluebird boxes we've put around our campus. This year, I will see thousands of these birds all over the east coast, but this is the first one I've seen this year - A true sign that spring migration is underway!!!
I don't know about you, but 22 species made for a great walk this morning!
Bethel Springs E.S.--Nature Trail
Apr 7, 2017
7:34 AM
Traveling
0.25 miles
20 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Cool, overcast conditions with lots of water from yesterday's rain
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.2 Build 114
2 Canada Goose
1 Common Loon -- Flyover heading north! Property first!!!
3 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Mourning Dove
1 Northern Flicker
4 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
1 Tree Swallow -- FOY
2 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
14 American Robin
2 Eastern Bluebird
2 European Starling
3 Dark-eyed Junco
1 White-throated Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
3 Northern Cardinal
14 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 House Finch
2 American Goldfinch
