Chipping Sparrow.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
A Merlin, a White-eyed Vireo and several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were the highlights of the Banshee Reeks bird walks on Saturday, April 9. Because 21 people showed up we split into two groups, one led by Michael Sciortino and the other by Joe Coleman. Over 50 species were found between the two groups. The group that saw the Merlin got good looks at it, as it sliced back and forth over one of the fields. The very vocal White-eyed Vireo was a first-of-season (FOS) species for most of that same group, and, in fact, a life bird for several of them. And the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were FOS birds for almost everyone.
It was also a good day for a wide variety of raptors with an Osprey, a Cooper’s Hawk, and several Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and Bald Eagles. Both kinglet species, including a Ruby-crowned performing its beautiful song, were well seen by both groups.
While the Wild Turkeys were only seen well by one of the groups, a flock of Cedar Waxwings entertained everyone both at the beginning and end of the walk as they milled around the trees at the Visitor Center eating berries.
The complete lists of birds observed can be seen below or on eBird at https://ebird.org/checklist/S106602944 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S106602908.
Species List for Michael’s Group
Canada Goose 5
Mallard 5
duck sp. 2
Wild Turkey 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
Mourning Dove 2
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 20
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 10
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Merlin 1
falcon sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Carolina Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
Eastern Bluebird 8
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 6
Cedar Waxwing 30
American Goldfinch 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 6
Fox Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 8
White-throated Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 8
Common Grackle 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Northern Cardinal 10
Species List for Joe’s Group
Canada Goose 5
Mourning Dove 4
Ring-billed Gull 1
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 11
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 5
Common Raven 1
Tufted Titmouse 8
Tree Swallow 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Carolina Wren 6
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 6
Cedar Waxwing 25
American Goldfinch 3
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 8
White-throated Sparrow 14
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 7
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Common Grackle 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Northern Cardinal 6
Turkey tail fungus.
Photo by Lisa Streckfuss
Group of Cedar Waxwings.
Photo by Michael Sciortino