This Wednesday was forecast to be quite wet, and it did indeed precipitate. Dave Larson and I were therefore not surprised to have a smallish group, but we did need two vans along with the Sullivan-mobile. Our all-weather birders were in for a treat! Dave Larson made a great suggestion – to stop at the beaver pond across from the Colby Farm. There is a lovely little Great Blue Heron colony there, visible from the road across from the farm stand, though if you go, do be careful of the rushing traffic. We found six nests and lots of activity — our only Ring-necked Duck of the day and a couple of Great Egrets that we assume will depart for Kettle Island soon. A lone Osprey was there, just visiting?
Great Blue Heron Rookery – Chaffee Monell
Nesting Canada Goose – Patti Wood
It was bittersweet to find an empty Common Pasture after having seen a string of wonderful waterfowl shows there earlier in the month. It was still worth checking, though, as there were some Wilson’s Snipes around and our only Greater Yellowlegs for the day. After a short time, we moved on to Ash Street Swamp, where Swamp Sparrows were singing all around. Tree, Barn, and at least one Rough-winged Swallow tumbled over the open water areas of the giant swamp, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher offered a brief scold in the light rain. We walked slowly up and down the elevated road through the swamp, hoping for a skulking, cryptic bird, enjoying the atmosphere of mist and possibilities. Wood Ducks passed over periodically, sometimes emitting their distinctive squeals. After a few good views of Swamp Sparrows, we were ready for more diversity, and we skipped over to Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Swallows on a wire – Mike Densmore
Many fewer waterfowl were on the surface of the reservoir, but the swallows in that neighborhood were alternating back and forth between the power lines at the south end and making forays over the water. This allowed us to have long looks at the birds, and we found one Cliff Swallow, more Rough-wingeds, and eventually a Bank Swallow, giving us the satisfaction of a “swallow sweep.” Watching the Bank Swallow was good practice, because we could see that it was smaller than the others, fluttering out with just a bit more rapid wing beats, and we could trace its path on its foraging flights. Four Ruddy Ducks lingered in the area, but waterfowl had either spread out to other wet spots or, most likely, moved on. In keeping with Joppa’s new logo, a Northern Harrier migrated overhead.
American Bittern at Pikes Bridge Road – Patti Wood
Next, we thought it would be good to give avian cryptofauna another chance along with hoped-for tropical migrants at Pike’s Bridge Road. Walking down that lane is another stroll loaded with anticipated joy, as so many species pop up there to delight a birder. This time was no exception, as we flushed a big, brown bird as soon as we emerged into the open near the bridge. The American Bittern below took a short flight behind a little peninsula in the aquatic bed and performed marvelously for us after we snuck around the bend. What a reward for lots of patient searching! It was a spectacular way to end our weekly foray for the many amazing birds of our coastal birding paradise.
American Bittern blends in – Mike Densmore
Our list:
Canada Goose – common.
Mute Swan (2)
Wood Duck – common.
American Black Duck (2)
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck – Colby Farm beaver pond.
Red-breasted Merganser (4) – Joppa Flats.
Ruddy Duck (4) – Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Double-crested Cormorant (13) – all but one Colby Farm beaver pond.
Great Blue Heron (12) – various.
Great Egret (2) – Colby Farm beaver pond.
American Bittern (1) – Upper Artichoke Reservoir from Pikes Bridge Road.
Turkey vulture (2)
Osprey (1) – Colby Farm beaver pond.
Northern Harrier (1) – Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Killdeer (2) – Common Pasture.
Greater Yellowlegs (2) – Common Pasture.
Wilson’s Snipe (5) – Common Pasture.
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker (2)
Downy Woodpecker (2)
Northern Flicker (3)
Eastern Phoebe (1)
American Crow (2)
Tree Swallow – common.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (5) – Ash Street Swamp and Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Bank Swallow (1) – Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Cliff Swallow (1) – Cherry Hill Reservoir.
Barn Swallow – common.
Black-capped Chickadee – common.
Tufted Titmouse (7)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1)
American Robin – common.
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow – common.
Swamp Sparrow – common.
White-throated Sparrow (1)
Northern Cardinal (12)
Red-winged Blackbird – common.
Common Grackle – common.
House Finch – common.
American Goldfinch – common.
House Sparrow