Trip Highlights

A large group of 15 members gathered for the Mother’s Day Walk at Robinson.  The birds were not cooperative and much of the identification was by ear, but the group managed to get 56 species in total, including 14 warbler species.  Everybody saw the best warbler species of the day, a Wilson’s Warbler.  Then at the river, everyone got the Bald Eagle sitting on a nest at eye level, less than 100 feet away.  It was good to have the company of John Hutchison, the long-time leader of this annual event.

Four members walked 3 miles at Mt Tom this morning, despite rain in the forecast. The total bird species count was 35, with several excellent sightings.  See complete list below.

Canada Goose  8 - Andrea

Mourning Dove  1

Great Blue Heron  1 - Jim saw the trailing legs.

Black Vulture  1 - Seen by all, silver wingtips.

Turkey Vulture  5

Bald Eagle  3 - Stationary above the mountain.

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Peregrine Falcon  3 - Seen and heard by all. Two flew left away from the cliff face while one remained, calling. Known nesting area.

Eastern Phoebe  1

Great Crested Flycatcher  2

Red-eyed Vireo  3

Blue Jay  5

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  3 - One carrying nesting material.

Tufted Titmouse  3

Gray Catbird  1

Wood Thrush  5

American Robin  4

House Sparrow  2

White-throated Sparrow  1

Eastern Towhee  4

Red-winged Blackbird  1

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

Ovenbird  1

Worm-eating Warbler  1 - Heard only.

Black-and-white Warbler  2

Black-throated Blue Warbler  1

Black-throated Green Warbler  1

Scarlet Tanager  2

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3

Rain hampered our walk, but a few members stayed on to enjoy the songs of Veery, Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. Though there were no ducks in sight, we did see muskrats and lovely Painted Trillium to brighten the walk.

Seven members joined the refuge walk this morning and identified a total of 36 species.  See complete list below.

Trip canceled - rain.