Pine Siskin
It was a good day to be out briding here in Old Trail. A bit on the chilly side, but not a lot of wind, and plenty of sunshine. And I ended up with a couple of unexpected avian species. One of the Pine Siskins that I saw was on the trail just in front of me, and rather than flying, it just walked into the nearby brush. I hoped that it was not injured and could fly if it wanted to do so.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
House Finches
American Goldfinch
Carolina Wren
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Flicker
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Common Raven
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Song and Swamp Sparrows
I haven't seen a Fox Sparrow in a couple of years, and was happy to see one this morning.
Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
As I approached the wetlands in Western Park, I got a quick look at the red tail and creamy undersides of a Red-tailed Hawk, and then when I was hiking on the soccer field towards the community garden, a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk flew right by me and perched.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
I occasionally see Cooper's Hawks here, but rarely Sharpies, so I hiked a bit into the wetlands to get some frontal photos in good sunlight.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
I ended my three hour hike along Slabtown Branch Creek. Both of our resident Red-shouldered Hawks were there, and they didn't mind my taking photos, but did keep an eye on a pestering Crow.
Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk and American Crow
Red-shouldered Hawk and American Crow
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
With rain in the forecast for the next two days, this will most likely be my last wildlife report in 2020. I logged 34 avian species today, and noticeably missing were 8 to 10 avian species that I have been seeing here in Old Trail during past few weeks. Not a bad way to end the year, and wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021.
This morning's list:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow