Ten people (including leaders Joe Coleman, John Denice, Mary Ann Good and Michael Sciortino) showed up for the first walk at Sweet Run State Park since they implemented entry fees. In spite of the forecast it was a beautiful early summer day, and the presence of birds, butterflies and other wildlife confirmed they were in agreement.
Snapping Turtle.
Photo by John Denise
The avian highlights of the 48-species bird walk were seven warblers, a Yellow-breasted Chat, four well-seen Yellow-throated Vireos (a bird usually heard and not seen), eight Acadian Flycatcher (including two doing their flutter song) and a Green Heron at the small pond near the Visitor Center. The warbler observations included the welcome song of a Cerulean Warbler. Until the last few years, this species had regularly been observed at multiple locations in the Park, but is now in decline throughout its range. Other warblers included: a Kentucky Warbler; five American Redstarts (some of which were visible); and six very vocal, and occasionally very visible, Louisiana Waterthrushes along Piney Run.
The non-avian highlights. of the walk were a large Snapping Turtle, far from any water and presumably searching for a good place to lay its eggs, and a rather large Black Snake winding its way through a tree.
The complete list of bird species is listed below or can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S176990628.
Mating Tree Swallows.
Photo by John Denise
Species List
Canada Goose 2
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Acadian Flycatcher 8
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 12
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 5
Tree Swallow 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Ovenbird 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 6
Kentucky Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 5
Cerulean Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Scarlet Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Indigo Bunting 6