Looking for Migrants

Location: Colorado River Park
Observation date: 3/30/08

I went into the Colorado River Park again this morning. The weather was very warm but overcast and sprinkling rain. I was hoping to find some migrating warblers. I found none. My list is also without and Vultures, Killdeer or Shorebirds of any kind.

Really there was nothing new in the park I did not find the pair of Wood Ducks I thought might be wanting to nest. I did not find the Field Sparrows, but after hearing them sing last week I was not expecting to. I did find a Northern Cardinal nest.

I also found Tansy-Mustard and Baby Blue-Eyes in abundance.

Number of species: 32

Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 12
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 2
Savannah Sparrow 5
Lincoln's Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Red-winged Blackbird 23
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6

Eastern Morning Birding

I birded the Colorado River Park early on Easter morning. I had heard reports of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in the area but was surprised to find the abundance in the park. I found at least 8 and there could have been more.

Two other first sightings for the park were Blue-headed Vireo and Eastern Bluebird.

White-eyed Vireos are also abundant

Another observation of surprised was Field Sparrows starting to sing.

I found no sigh of the Wood Ducks. The morning was chilly and blustery which could have had them staying in their nest.





Location: Colorado River Park
Observation date: 3/23/08
Number of species: 33

Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Snowy Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 7
American Coot 40
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 11
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Cliff Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 24
Tufted Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 7
Lincoln's Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 27
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 8
Great-tailed Grackle 33
Brown-headed Cowbird 4

March Observations

With some new reports of bird migrations getting started, I decided to check the Colorado River Park for any signs of migrants. I birded for about 2 hours this morning and found no migrants.

What I did find was a pair of Wood Ducks that appeared to show nesting activities. I will keep my eye on this and give updates on future entries.

Other nesting behaviors I saw were Cardinals, Mockingbirds, and Tufted Titmouse all singing.

A couple of other unusual birds I found were Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush. Both of these I consider to be good sightings.

The grass is starting to get deep and I found some Baby Blue Eyes blooming.

Following is an abbreviated list of my morning bird list.

Location: Colorado River Park
Observation date: 3/16/08
Number of species: 34

Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 6
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 3
Lincoln's Sparrow 12
White-crowned Sparrow 1