Red-shouldered Hawk
I logged 28 avian species here in Old Trail this morning. I started out at the golf course pond. A Red-shouldered Hawk was perched on a low branch in a deciduous tree overlooking the pond. It almost looked like it was fishing. I've seen Red-shouldered Hawks grab fish from a shallow stream a few times in the past, but never from a deep pond or lake. But it just sat there, and then took off with a small branch from a nearby coniferous tree. At first, I thought it had grabbed a snake, but it must have been gathering materials for its nest.
There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers here. This warbler species is our only wintering warbler species, and they will soon be gone until last next autumn.
I also saw four Wood Ducks (two males and two females). This duck species prefers small, secluded ponds, and are easily spooked by people. If they stick around, we might have some ducklings here in a few months.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eastern Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wood Ducks
Wood Duck
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
I started off at the golf course pond, and the Red-shouldered Hawk was on the same branch as yesterday. I then changed my hiking route. I skipped Western Park, and instead, birded along small creeks to see if Louisiana Waterthrushes might have arrived. I did see or hear any waterthrushes, but ended up once again with 28 avian species, including a few I hadn't seen yesterday, giving me 30+ for this two-day list.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco taking a bath
Dark-eyed Junco taking a bath
Field Sparrow
Pine Warbler
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker