I stayed closer to home and did some birding here in Old Trail and at the nearby Lickinghole Creek Reservoir. All the birds I saw were the usual winter residents, except for the leucistic Northern Cardinal that was first seen about two months ago and continues along the loop trail in Old Trail.
One of the resident Bald Eagles at the reservoir was perched far from its nest, and not too far from where its old nest had been located. I saw a single Wilson's Snipe on the gravel bar.
Bald Eagle
Wilson's Snipe
Eastern Bluebird - Yum!
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
House Finch
Northern Flickers
Our resident Red-shouldered Hawk appears to have a damaged wing. Perhaps it is just molting?
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
I ended my hike this morning (12/20) with some good views of the leucistic Northern Cardinal. It is fairly easy to find on the loop tail on the east side of Old Trail Drive, and I hope that its high visibility does not result in its being killed by a predator.
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal
Leucistic Northern Cardinal