Lingering gloom from overnight rain hung in the air as we began our monthly birdwalk. Although weather restricted the number of participants our spirits were high because we were joined by our favorite young Midwestern birding hot shot visiting Westchester for the weekend.
At Rye Nature Center out best sightings were Wood Thrush and House Wren. Eventually the sun chased away the reminders of rain creating a lovely late spring day. Half our group continued on to Read Sanctuary looking for seaside birds. (our Midwestern was suffering from a mild case of salt-water withdrawal) There we found both Snowy and Great Egrets, a pair of Osprey on the nesting platform (later joined by another pair), Killdeer, Great Black-backed Gull and much more.
In total, between the two locations, we spotted at total of 34 species – not too bad for a day that didn’t look too promising at the start. A detailed list of birds seen is shown below:
Common/Backyard Birds: Robin, Blue Jay, Catbird, Am. Crow, Titmouse, Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Mourning Dove, House Wren, Cardinal, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow
Not quite as Common: Wood Thrush, Chimney Swift, Song Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole,
Blackbirds: Common Grackle, Starling, Red-winged Blackbird
Heard but not Seen: Carolina Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, Solitary (Blue-headed) Vireo
Water/Shore Birds: Great and Snowy Egret, Killdeer, Osprey, Canada Goose, Mallard, Cormorant, Fish Crow, Osprey, Great Black-backed Gull, Ring-billed Gull
Next Bird Walk
Our next monthly bird walk will be on the first Saturday of July, July 7th. Join us if you can.
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