Birders congregate on the porch of the Visitors Center.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
It was another cold and blustery Saturday morning at Banshee Reeks for the regular bird walk on March 11, but the wind did not seem to impact the number of bird species seen nor the number of birders. Twenty-four birders joined Michael Sciortino and Scott Harris to record a surprising 34 species throughout the chilly walk.
The highlights of the walk included a spectacular flyover of a Bald Eagle near the Spring House Pond that we watched in awe us as it passed over us. None of the numerous photographers in attendance were able to capture it as it came on us fast, and it was best just to pause and enjoy the moment. We had good looks of both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets on the Arrowhead Ridge trail. The group made its way to the Beaver Pond, and it was active with Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows and a lone Swamp Sparrow. We did hear and see a Fox Sparrow on the trail leading to the pond and that was a highlight for many.
For a complete list of birds recorded during the walk, see below or view on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S130680030
Species List:
Canada Goose 2
duck sp. 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
Mourning Dove 1
Ring-billed Gull 250
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 7
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 8
European Starling 20
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 23
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 1
Fox Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 9
White-throated Sparrow 41
Song Sparrow 13
Swamp Sparrow 2
Eastern Towhee 7
Northern Cardinal 10