Spring
Purple Finches and Rusty Blackbirds were unusual finds in March, but Eastern
Phoebe and Turkey Vulture on the 16th and the 19th were more usual signs
of spring. Two Wild Turkeys spotted crossing the railroad tracks on
March 27th were new birds for the Center. They stayed through early
May.
The year's first Palm Warbler appeared on April 2nd, closely followed
by a Pine Warbler on the 3rd. An American Bittern discovered on April
23rd was the most unexpected bird of the season.
Migration in April and May was a bit low in total species and very
low in numbers of individual birds. The best day was May 14th, with
58 species including 15 species of warblers. The International Migratory Bird
Day count on May 13th totaled only 45 species including 16 warbler species.
Highlights of the migration count included Mourning, Bay-breasted, and Wilson's
Warblers, Least Flycatcher, and Scarlet Tanager. One more new species
appeared during this period: a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher on May 26th.
Summer
There were 28 confirmed nesting species including Great Horned Owl, Eastern
Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole.
12 other species, including Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, and Barn Swallow,
may have nested in or near the Nature Center. Wood Thrushes are
on a "WatchList" report released by the National Audubon Society. That
report lists species that the Audubon Society believes to be in serious decline
or danger. Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, and Eastern
Wood-Pewee livened up summer birding by nesting close to paths for easy observation.
Fall
Fall migration produced several unusual species, but total numbers were low.
Interesting species included Kentucky Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, Green-winged
Teal, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Lincoln's Sparrow. Just as
it seemed that the wintering birds had settled in and the excitement
of migration had ended for the season, a very unusual bird appeared.
On November 18th, along the railroad tracks near the parking lot, a flycatcher
perched in a low bush. Very kinglet-like, with a small, dark, bill and
an eye-ring that came to a point behind its eye, this bird was puzzling.
It was seen first by Joe Zajacek, then also by me, at very close range.
After it flew off we scratched our heads and remarked that it didn't look
like any of the eastern flycatchers. Ten days later, on November 28th,
I saw the bird again in about the same place. The word went out to
other birders who arrived later that day and refound the unusual visitor.
The observers photographed the Hammond's Flycatcher and recorded its call.
This very cooperative, approachable visitor from the west was seen by many
birders from several states until it was last seen on December 21st.
It was easiest to locate in sunlight in the open area below the swimming
pool. The bird caught insects on and near the ground and also ate berries
from poison ivy and honeysuckle. Three other new Nature Center species,
Greater White-fronted Goose, Brant, and Peregrine Falcon, were noted
by birders visiting the Nature Center to see the flycatcher. Special
thanks to Rick Wiltraut, Dave DeReamus, Arlene Koch, Jason Horn, and
Steve and Devich Farbotnik for their expertise and observations, and
to Rick and Dave for their photographs.
The Hammond's Flycatcher is a possible first or second state record.
141 species were observed in the sanctuary this year. 28 of these
were warblers. Eight species, Gadwall, Wild Turkey, American Bittern,
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Greater White-fronted Goose,
Brant, and Peregrine Falcon, were new to the Nature Center.
Observers: Linda Freedman, Phyllis Heller, Jeff Hopkins, Barbara Malt, Steve Thorpe, Carolyn Watkins, and Joe Zajacek.
Compiler: Linda Freedman