This report is a continuation of my report from February 26 when I logged 26 avian species, including a migrating Pine Siskin and an early season Pine Warbler that I first reported here on February 21. I did not see the Pine Siskin again, but the Pine Warbler is still singing at the southeast corner of Old Trail. We had a little bit of sunshine this week, but most of the time it was rainy, overcast, and/or windy, and my avian list for the week ended up at 36, including my first of season Rusty Blackbird.
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Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Common Grackle (left); Rusty Blackbird (right)
Pileated Woodpecker
This female Red-bellied Woodpecker may be working on a nesting cavity
Killdeer
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Yellow-rumped Warbler
When I first started started birding in late 2006, I was aware that there were two color morphs of the White-throated Sparrow: white stripe and tan stripe above the eye. Several years ago, it was discovered that this species had three sexes, and just recently a fourth sex was determined.
Click here link to read about the four sexes of White-throated Sparrows
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
A pair of (lesser) Canada Geese have been hanging around the shallow end of the golf course pond, and I suspect they are a mated pair and there will be goslings later in the spring. There's also a small, secluded pond just off the gravel trail heading up to the schools, and I sometimes see skittish Wood Ducks there. As I slowly and quietly walked up a small hill to get a look, I spooked a small flock of Wood Ducks.
Wood Ducks
Eastern Painted Turtles
But there's also been a pair of Canada Geese in that pond, and I think that this is the first time I have seen geese in that pond. I saw them doing what appeared to be a mating ritual. One goose would raise up and honk, and then the other one would do the same. This went on for a couple of minutes, and then they gave up. I guess that one of them decided it wasn't in the mood :-)
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
This week's list:
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Killdeer
Red-shouldered Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rusty Blackbird
Turkey Vulture
Swamp Sparrow
Wood Duck
Common Grackle