Male Eastern Bluebird
Although it was 32 degrees, the 15 m.p.h. northwest wind with occasioanl 30+ m.p.h. wind gusts made it feel much colder. I only saw about a dozen avian species, and most of these birds were in a small area in the wetlands that was shielded from the wind. The Eastern Bluebirds must have fresh breeding pulmage, as the males were very bright blue in color.
Male Eastern Bluebird
Female Eastern Bluebird
Song Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
Turkey Vulture
It was only 28 degrees this morning, but with almost no wind, it felt warmer than yesterday morning. I hiked a different area here in Old Trail, and only saw a few birds. I thought I heard a Black-capped Chickadee, which would be uncommon, here, but only got a quick look at the Chickadee and couldn't tell for sure, as the much more common Carolina Chickadees can learn Black-capped songs.
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal
Around 11:30 this morning, I heard and saw multiple unmarked vehicles with sirens and lights enter Old Trail and continue to just north of here. An Amtrak train carrying members of Congress going to a Republican retreat at the Greenbrier in West Virginia crashed into a truck close to where I live. The train crash was on Lanetown Road. This is a dangerous road for crossing the tracks there. Going south, it's downhill, on a curve, and trees blocking the view of trains comin from the east. Going north, which I believe was the direction of the truck, it's uphill and about a 135 degree angle to see trains coming from the east. News photos show that the train guard rails were down. I often take this route coming back from nearby Mint Springs Park. In fact, I almost went birding there this morning, but decided to hike here in Old Trail. If I had gone to Mint Springs Park, I would have been coming home about the time of the crash, so I am glad that I changed my mind about going there this morning.
I did some hiking at the reservoir this morning, but didn't see many birds. I ended up with 15 common avian species.
Belted Kingfisher