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| Prairie Warbler from 5/18/21 |
The birding expedition led by biologist Beau Bauer kept a sharp focus on neotropical migratory songbirds and shorebirds. Including incidental sightings the bird list for the day reached 50 species, and mild temps and a light breeze kept the conditions in the field comfortable at
Nemours Wildlife Foundation.
Starting out at 9 a.m. the bird sightings were at first hard to come by, even though some songbirds could be heard be remained unseen. Loading up into two trucks to change positions brought a change of luck though as a male blue grosbeak crossed the road in clear view and stopped in a patch of woods lit by sunlight. Everyone in the group eventually viewed the grosbeak, and we picked up a pine warbler on the forest floor and a wood stork soaring overhead.
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| Least Bittern, not normally in the wide open |
Setting up on an impoundment to look for a specific shorebird, we were treated to a few wading birds and a couple of anhingas posing on posts, but not enough to stay for long. Loading into the trucks again, we went about 15-yards and then had to stop because a pair of painted buntings came into the clear for viewing. While stopped, a hummingbird buzzed by some members of the groups and an Orchard Oriole was identified. Movement seemed to be the key to our day.
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| Yellow Warbler near forest floor |
It was nearly noon when we made our final move of the day, and we stopped at an area with edge habitat management underway wherelongleaf pines in the grass stage changes into bushes. Just then a bright yellow warbler came into view, and was flitting up and down the edge where our group was spread out, giving everyone a look. Once identified as a Prairie Warbler, most members of the group (including your humble blogger) were able to claim a new Life Bird, meaning the first time they had seen one. The warbler even stopped long enough to make a photo. The ride back to our vehicles for departure was filled with a sense of accomplishment for time well spent in the outdoors.
To view my Birding Journal Observations for March / April 2021 click here.
To view past Field Notes and Photos click January 2021 - July 2020- June 2020 - March 2020 - June 2019 - July 2018 - February 2018 - December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 - September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011
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| Beau Bauer, front, led our birding group |
