Dori Rhodes and Michael Sciortino led a wet July Banshee Reeks bird walk on Saturday, July 9. The weather progressively deteriorated but held off long enough for the group of 15 birders to be able to record 45 species over almost two hours of hiking. As was the case in June, we sought shelter from any potential rain and decided to primarily stay in wooded areas with as much canopy as possible.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
Most of our camera gear was left behind because of the threat of significant rain, so the walk did not yield much photography. We did have participants with exceptional hearing skills, and that helped us identify numerous species as we traveled along.
We passed by the main field area and recorded numerous Indigo Buntings and Prairie Warblers as expected. A few Yellow-breasted Chats gurgled from the field. We spent some time looking at the silos and watched a Ruby-throated Hummingbird feed from a Trumpet Vine that was growing on the outside. There was evidence of whitewash at the base of the silo and on the plants beneath it suggesting some activity from above. We were not able to determine if there were any Barn Owls present, but this would be something to monitor on future visits.
We cut across the field heading in the direction and protection of the Cathedral Trail and heard more Indigo Buntings. As we walked along the forest edge, we did begin to hear the flute-like sound of a Wood Thrush and the distinct “peet-zah” call of an Acadian Flycatcher. The Cathedral Trail was quiet, and the rain began to pick up. Thankfully we were sheltered, and we could hear the pattering on the tree canopy. It would only be a matter of time until we had to deal with the rain when we got out into the open.
The Goose Creek overlook area was quiet as well, which was a significant departure from last month where it was teeming with cuckoos, warblers, vireos and gnatcatchers. The rain picked up in intensity, and we needed to plan on our next move. The group decided to take the direct path back toward the Visitor Center as the forecast showed that the rain would be picking up even more over the next few minutes. We returned via the Arrowhead Ridge trail and stopped along the way to seek shelter where we could. We heard our first Northern Flicker of the day and numerous Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and heard and saw Eastern Towhees skulking in the brush.
The Spring House Pond area provided good looks at a group of Carolina Chickadees, a few more Indigo Buntings and a lone Red-winged Blackbird. There was no waterfowl or heron activity at or on the pond. We tallied our results for the day from the comfort of the Visitor Center porch and watched American Goldfinches, House Finches, and a Chipping Sparrow at the seed feeders. Three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds used the two feeders hung on the eaves of the porch, and they zipped back and forth from tree to feeder not caring about our presence. We did not get the Visitor Center porch “bonus bird” (usually a buteo or eagle), but we did get good looks at more Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts flying in loose groups above the field.
Despite the damp, wet and deteriorating conditions, which most likely led to the suppressed bird activity, we were still able to record 45 species and avoid a complete wash out. Let’s hope that next month’s walk provides us better weather than it has the last few months.
For a complete list of our bird sightings please see below or view on eBird at https://ebird.org/checklist/S114713204
Species List
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 6
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 8
Acadian Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 3
Tree Swallow 7
Barn Swallow 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Carolina Wren 15
Gray Catbird 6
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 7
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 6
Cedar Waxwing 9
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 12
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 6
Eastern Towhee 5
Yellow-breasted Chat 3
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Common Yellowthroat 8
Northern Parula 1
Prairie Warbler 6
Northern Cardinal 12
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 12