Blue Gray Gnatcatcher at Wooton’s Wetlands Preserve

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Hugh

It was cold again this morning, and the skies were partly cloudy, but I left early for Wooton to find the good birds seen yesterday. Three hours didn’t produce much, but some other birders found a few that I missed.
I took a quick trip through the ‘hood this evening and found a few flowers.

This Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was gathering nesting material from a Tent Caterpillar nest.

White Eyed Vireos are singing all through the park.

Yellow Rumped Warblers are showing up in numbers.

This is the first time I’ve seen a Swamp Sparrow in the grass.

Bluebirds are found all along the lower trail.

Bugs and flowers

Common Loon at Lake Artemesia

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Hugh

It was cold this morning. I had heard about a nice flycatcher at Lake Artemesia, so Graeme and I agreed to meet there this morning. Shortly after I arrived I was wishing I had brought gloves. So much for mid-April.
Some nice birds showed up right away, and it began to get warmer, so it was a good morning.
Still no warblers to speak of, but I hear they showed up at Wooton this morning.

This Red Necked Grebe should be heading Noth by now.

Three swallow species were cruising the lake including these Tree Swallows

I didn’t realize this Blue Gray Gnatcatcher was on a nest until I uploaded the images.

Goldfinches are in breeding plumage.

This Robin was just sitting in the Sun.

A classic Downy Woodpecker image.

The first bird I saw this morning was this very cooperative Common Loon.

White Eyed Vireo at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Hugh

The morning was cool and clear, and looked promising. I got to Wooton around 7:30, and found the Vireo right away, but it got really slow after that. I did get some decent images, but migration isn’t in full swing yet.

Canada Geese are nesting at Wooton, and still arguing about mates.

This Osprey hovered for a long time while seeking prey.

Many Goldfinches were foraging near the ponds.

I spotted this Blue Gray Gnatcatcher as I was leaving the park.

Cardinals were plentiful.

The White Eyed Vireo is a migrant, so where are his buddies?

Osprey at Quiet Waters Park

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Hugh

I had to drag out the Winter gear this morning, which didn’t bode well for a good migrant day.
In fact, I didn’t see much at all in two trips to Quiet Waters, even though migration is well under way.

This Downy Woodpecker and his mate were foraging along the road.

White Breasted Nuthatches continue to be very active.

Many Ospreys were actively fishing in the park.

A Slow Day at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Hugh

It seems to be an unusually cool Spring, on the heels of a long cold spell, and it may be slowing migration.
2-3 hours at Wooton produced very little, and a quick trip to Truxton Park was a bust. Very frustrating.

It’s nice to have the White Eyed Vireos back, but this one was backlit.

There are still a few American Coots in the small pond.

Red Winged Blackbirds are well established in the marsh.

Several Mallards flew over as I arrived.

This Red Tailed Hawk was hunting over the marsh.

This Northern Cardinal was singing along the trail.

Swamp Sparrow at Wooton Wetlands Preserve

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Hugh

It looked like another near perfect day, and I set out early for Wooton. I found a few good birds right away, so I tried the upper trail after traversing the lower trail twice. A waste of time, but good exercise I suppose. A big beaver provided some excitement.
The afternoon trip to Quiet Waters was a blank. Too damn many people.

I just barely got a look at this large Beaver as he crossed the path.

There are always Swamp Sparrows at Wooton, but they seldom pose so well.

First Goldfinch of the season.

Yellow Rumped Warblers are coming into breeding plumage.

This Canada Goose was protecting his mate from another Goose.

Eastern Bluebirds are getting easy to find.

Many White Throated Sparrows were foraging in the grass.

It’s not a very good image, but I only got one chance at this Prairie Warbler.

Another cooperative turtle.

Pileated Woodpecker at Quiet Waters

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Hugh

The weather gods continue to please, even if the birds are less cooperative. I seet out erly gor Governor Bridge in hopes of finding some warblers, but it didn’t happen. I did find a couple of migrants, but pickings were slim.
After a nap, I went to Quiet Waters, which also slow, I found a few birds and bugs.

This Ruby Crowned Kinglet is a first for this year.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, another first.

I was lucky to get this White Eyed Vireo.

THis Eastern Towhee was singing loudly from the top of a bush when I arrived, and when I left two hours later.

This White Breasted Nuthatch is nesting in Quiet Waters.

This Pileated Woodpecker landed nearby while I was watching the Nuthatch.

Today’s bugs.

Palm Warbler at Wooton Wetlands Park

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Hugh

Another nice Spring day had me trying to decide where to go. After some coffee, I elected to try Wooton again. While it was a little slow, I found a few nice birds and got a couple of decent shots. It seemed as though Turtles were on the move all day.
I made a quick afternoon trip to Quiet Waters and found some nesting Nuthatches.

I found three Turtles crossing the path today. Unusual, in my experience.

Eastern Bluebirds were very active today.

White Throated Sparrows will be migrating very soon.

Dark Eyed Juncos will also be leaving soon.

Swamp Sparrows are always found near water.

This Eastern Towhee was singing loudly for a mate.

This pair of White Breasted Nuthatches are nesting in Quiet Waters.

Several American Coots were in one of the small ponds.

This Palm Warbler is the first migrant I’ve photographed this Spring.

Pied Billed Grebe at Quiet Waters

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Hugh

Another beautiful day, but not much variety. Quiet Waters is perfectly situated for migrants, but I’m not seeing them yet.
An afternoon trip to Truxtun Park didn’t fare any better.

This might be a Cherry Blossom, but I’m not sure.

This Carolina Wren is greeting me often.

This female House Sparrow seemed to be sunbathing.

These Canada Goose were paddling serenely around the lake.

This Wood Duck was by himsef today.

This Mallard had the cove all to himself.

This Pied Billed Grebe has been solo for the last two days.

Northern Flicker at Quiet Waters Park

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Hugh

We’re finally getting some Spring weather. A few warblers have been reported, but the buds and insects aren’t in full evidence, so I decided to try Quiet Waters.
It was really a bit slow, but I found a few birds and a couple of bugs to get the season started.