Male American Kestrel
It was bright and sunny today, although a bit breezy. By the time I arrived at Swoope a little after 10:00 a.m., it was 40 degrees, although the wind made it feel somewhat colder. When I ended my outing in Swoope at 12:30, it had climbed to 50 degrees, but was still windy. As I drove first along Hewitt Road, I didn't see many birds, and assumed that many of them were hunkered down from the wind. All of the creeks that I passed were still frozen, but most of the fields that were getting sunlight had melted. I did see a flock of Starlings with a few Eastern Meadowlarks, and caught a glimpse of a low flying raptor that I thought might have been a Red-tailed Hawk, but now think that a female Northern Harrier is more likely. I finally stopped near Cattleman Road when I saw a male American Kestrel.
Male American Kestrel
I entered the property where I have permission to bird at Smith Lake, and hiked all along the south shoreline. The lake was entirely frozen, and all I saw was one Song Sparrow and one White-throated Sparrow. I started to wonder if this was going to be a poor birding day, and started back towards my car. I stopped when a male "Gray Ghost" Northern Harrier flew in and circled above the lake.
Male Northern Harrier
Male Northern Harrier
Male Northern Harrier
Male Northern Harrier
Male Northern Harrier
The male Northern Harrier exited and a female Northern Harrier flew in and circled above.
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
I then turned my attention to some distant birds - turned out to be some Turkey Vultures, and then I saw two female Northern Harriers flying along the field to the south.
Female Northern Harriers
Female Northern Harrier
Well, this was starting to get better! When I reached my car, I ran into one of the local area property owners whom I know, and he asked if the hawk that was flying from post to post there was a Red-shouldered. Turned out to be a very cooperative juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk.
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
I looked for the resident Bald Eagles, and saw them perched in a tree near their nest. They were quite far away, so I decided to try the North Mountain Road later where I could get a better look at them.
Bald Eagles
I continued along Cattleman Road and stopped near Livick Road where lots of Turkey Vultures and a couple of Black Vultures were congregating. I saw my only Red-tailed Hawk of the day at this stop.
Red-tailed Hawk
I drove around some more but didn't see much, so I drove to North Mountain Road, and soon thereafter, stopped when a mixed flock of sparrows and one Northern Cardinal were foraging in the brush along a fence line.
Song Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrows
I continued on, and saw my second American Kestrel of the day - this time a female.
Female American Kestrel
And then it really got interesting. I saw a sub-adult (Basic I/II) Bald Eagle carrying something long and red, and knew it must have been something for it to eat. It flew to a tree and then flew again when I gt out of my car. It was an entire deer leg! Yum!
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
I stopped at my good observation spot for the resident Bald Eagles, and they had moved but were still in view.
Bald Eagles
As I reached close to the east end of Hebron Road where I would hang up my camera and head for home, I saw my third American Kestrel of the day.
Female American Kestrel
Female American Kestrel
Female American Kestrel
Female American Kestrel
Female American Kestrel
I only saw 18 avian species in Swoope today, but it was a really interesting outing.