Spotted Sandpiper
It was hot, muggy, and mostly overcast this morning, and with late morning and evening rain in the forecast, I wanted to get some birding in, but not go far and get caught in the rain. Turned out that the morning rain never happened, but my hike here in Old Trail was worthwhile. I ended up with 38 avian species. Indigo Buntings and Gray Catbirds have returned, and lot of birds were out. A Spotted Sandpiper and a Solitary Sandpiper were still in the same retention pond as yesterday, but the Great Yelowlegs had gone.
Spotted Sandpiper
Indigo Bunting
Gray Catbird
Carolina Wren gathering nesting material
Chipping Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
The Louisiana Waterthrush that I had been seeing along Slabtown Branch Creek near my house has not been seen for a week or so. This morning I hiked along that creek on my side of Old Trail Drive, and then hiked along the creek on the west side of Old Trail Drive. I hadn't been hiking along the creek on that side for quite a while because of all the new house construction, but crews are not supposed to be working on Sundays. I was surprised to see and hear workers this morning. However, I did manage to see the Louisiana Waterthrush there.
Louisiana Waterthrush
There appears to be a chick in the Red-shouldered Hawk's nest, but I couldn't get a good look from where I was standing.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk's nest
When I got to the golf course pond, I saw our local Loch Ness monster, a 3+ foot long snapping turtle. It's been there every summer at least since we moved here in 2016, and once I see "Nessie," I can stop looking for ducks in that pond until the next winter.
Snapping Turtle
The highlight of the day for me was the male Yellow Warbler that showed up in the Western Park wetlands a few days ago, It was singing a lot for a mate, and it appeared to have now realized that I am not a threat, and was foraging close to where I was standing.
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler