Species
(Numbers are subjective with the first column FUNA and the second Horse Pen.)
1 Goose, Canada, 2 Vulture, Black, 3 Vulture, Turkey, 4 Hawk, Sharp-shinned 0, 1, 5 Kestrel, American1, 0, 6 Dove, Mourning 2, 0, 7 Woodpecker, Red-bellied 0, 2, 8 Woodpecker, Downy 2, 0, 9 Woodpecker, Hairy 1, 0, 10 Flicker, Northern 3, 2, 11 Woodpecker, Pileated 1, 0, 12 Jay, Blue 4, 2, 13 Crow, American 1, 0, 14 Chickadee, Carolina 6, 2, 15 Titmouse, Tufted 3, 4, 16 Nuthatch, Red-breasted 2, 0, 17 Nuthatch, White-breasted 1, 1, 18 Creeper, Brown 1, 0, 19 Wren, Carolina 4, 4, 20 Kinglet, Golden-crowned 1, 0, 21 Bluebird, Eastern 2, 0, 22 Thrush, Hermit 1, 0, 23 Mockingbird, Northern 2, 0, 24 Starling, European 35, 0, 25 Cardinal, Northern 8, 15, 26 Towhee, Eastern 1, 0, 27 Sparrow, Field 2, 0, 28 Sparrow, Fox 1, 1, 29 Sparrow, Song 20, 4, 30 Sparrow, Swamp 2, 0, 31 Sparrow, White-throated 60, 20, 32 Junco, Dark-eyed 25, 0, 33 Grackle, Common 300, 0, 34 Finch, Purple 0, 10, 35 Goldfinch, American 2, 0
I know some of us have been accused of being fair-weather birders but what more can you ask for? Today was windless with no clouds in the sky. Sounds perfect. Sure, it was a bit chilly overnight but the temperature had risen to a balmy 16 degrees by the time the walk started and by the time we were done, the temperature stood at an almost tropical 23. Of course those temperatures aren't quite as nice when you realized they are in Fahrenheit, not Celsius but properly dressed, it was a great morning to be out. And with good weather comes good birding. The 35 species was a bit lower than I expected considering the weather; a number of easy species were missed. But the variety was good. The outing was nicely bookended by highlights. The first was a Kestrel that surveyed and flew around the MARC parking lot. It was in view for the entire half hour I waited there for anyone to show. After FUNA, the trip continued to the Horse pen for a quick walk down to the river (the spur trail is still closed for construction). There, I found the largest flock of Purple Finches I have seen in years. It was a nice mix of males and females/young.