Both Species of Orioles Seen During Algonkian Walk

We knew the monthly bird walk at Algonkian Regional Park was going to be a good one from the very beginning.  While we were waiting for everyone to arrive, Warbling Vireos sang in the trees next to us. The group of 25 people, including newer birders, was led by John Denice, Pat Whittle and Allison Gallo on April 20 and found a total of 55 species of birds.

Shortly after we started down to Sugarland Run, we saw a beautiful Baltimore Oriole.  We also saw a Meadowlark perched at the top of a tree.  As we approached the crew boats we saw three Purple Martins flying over the field along with a few Tree Swallows and a Savannah Sparrow behind the sheds.  We also saw a a group of Great Egrets and Double Breasted Cormorants next to the Heron Rookery as well as a few Bald Eagles.  On our way back from the point we got a nice look at an Orchard Oriole.  It was nice to be able to see both oriole species in one trip and see the difference.

When we got back to our meeting point at the boat ramp, we decided to continue on and see if we could find anything else.  It was great to hear a Winter Wren and see a flock of Rusty Blackbirds.  Other notable birds were two Common Yellowthroats, a Palm Warbler, Eastern Kingbirds and Yellow-rumped Warblers.  The complete list of species can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227841225.