It may seem backwards to many, but I don’t seem to be able to get out to do much birding on the weekend. I was determined to change that today. I set the alarm for early, got up and looked out the window to see a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. Then just decided to crawl back into bed and let it melt off a little. I still made it down to the preserve, but not until 11:15 AM, which is when I’m usually finishing things up!
The day did warm nicely and despite my late start I saw 35 species, which is just above average for this time of year. The highlight of the day was a single Chipping Sparrow. For some reason, this is a species that I don’t see very often at the preserve. I would think the area would be prime habitat for it. In contrast, I did not see any American Tree Sparrows at all (down from 24 just two day before).
Stat time: 11:15
End time: 2:15
Temp: 34-46
Wind: lite breeze from the west
Skies: mostly clear
Species Total: 35
Great Blue Heron – 1, I saw this one snap up and swallow a small rodent in one gulp in the bed of the old farm pond.
Black Vulture – approximately 25
Turkey Vulture – approximately 40
Canada Goose – approximately 375
Mallard – 2, male and female
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1, adult
Cooper's Hawk – 1, immature
Red-tailed Hawk – 6, 5 adults, 1 immature
Rock Dove – 3
Mourning Dove – approximately 150
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 4
Downy Woodpecker – 3
Hairy Woodpecker – 2
Blue Jay – approximately 10
American Crow – approximately 200
Fish Crow – 1, maybe as many as three. I heard a text book call on the west side of the preserve. I think I heard a couple of others in the large flock of crows down by the Brandywine, but could be sure exactly.
Carolina Chickadee – approximately 15
Tufted Titmouse – approximately 15
Red-breasted Nuthatch – 1
White-breasted Nuthatch – 5
Carolina Wren – approximately 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet – 4
Eastern Bluebird – approximately 25
American Robin – 6
Northern Mockingbird – 2
European Starling – 7
Eastern Towhee – 2, heard only
Chipping Sparrow – 1, Bird of the Day!
Fox Sparrow – 1
Song Sparrow – approximately 25, numbers seemed very low compared to previous days.
Swamp Sparrow – 2
White-throated Sparrow – approximately 35
Dark-eyed Junco – approximately15
Northern Cardinal – approximately15
House Finch – approximately 10
American Goldfinch – approximately 10
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