The sky was completely overcast this morning, but with rain forecasted for later today and the next three days, I wanted to get some birding in while I could. That turned out to be a good decision. I hiked here in Old Trail, and ended up with 41 avian species, and some good photos.
Eastern Kingbird
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Bluebird
Savannah Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
House Sparrow
Do you think that this Chipping Sparrow has enough nesting material?
Wood Duck
Northern Cardinal
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpipers
Mourning Dove
Northern Rough-winged Swallow going after a meal
Barn Swallow gathering nesting material
Immature Tree Swallow
But the highlight of the morning was watching an Osprey fishing at the golf course pond. It would circle multiple times as it looked for a fish.
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
It had a few misses and came up without a catch.
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
And then, success!
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Near the end of my hike, I got two non-avian species. The first one was the largest mouse [Update: Hispid Cotton Rat] I have ever seen - a bit larger than a chipmunk!
Hispid Cotton Rat
And then I heard a weird buzzy noise. Someone was flying a drone.
Drone
This morning's list:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Common Yellowthroat
Pine Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Finch
House Sparrow