Derway Island 3/27

On Sunday, March 27th at 10am, it was about 35ºF outside, sunny and slightly breezy at Derway Island in Burlington, VT. The morning started along the wetland, with a view of a 2 male and 1 female Wood Ducks in on the water in between two trees. I was quiet and kept my distance, as to not scare these timid birds away. As I entered the forested area, there was an overwhelming surplus of bird calls and songs. It was relatively hard to identify individuals within the mix. I was able to pick out vocalizations from a Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Woodpecker(Downy or Hairy), American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle, and a White-breasted Nuthatch. I then heard an American Goldfinch, and about 4 or 5 came into site. As I walked further into the woods, I saw a Hairy Woodpecker pecking on a pine tree limb. I saw a duck (species unknown) flying overhead. An American Robin flew on a thin vine-like tree limb, and started singing. Robin songs were heard frequently throughout the morning. A Downy Woodpecker was spotted on a Boxelder by the shore of the river. I listened some more and heard the "peter" song of a Tufted Titmouse, the song of a Black-capped Chickadee, the drumming of a woodpecker in the distance, and a Brown Creeper song. I heard a Pileated Woodpecker's "wuk wuk" from afar. As I was looking out onto the river, a Song Sparrow approached roughly 10 feet away. I was able to identify its song with the notable 3 introductory notes, followed by some variation in tone and frequency. I then saw 2 Red-tailed Hawks flying overhead, circling above the river. I heard the repetitive song of a Dark-eyed Junco, but never visually located it. As I was leaving the forest, I came across a Bohemian Waxwing on a tree branch, noted for its grey/rusty plumage. Finally, I saw a woodpecker which didn't look like any of the familiar Downy, Hairy or Pileated. I got a closer look and noticed a red head, a black and white checkered wing pattern, and a body shape and size similar to the Hairy Woodpecker- it turned out to be a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Overall, a very exciting morning of bird watching with many new species appearing as spring starts to come.

Publicado el 03 de abril de 2016 a las 05:01 PM por jgordon