Cloudy Weather Brings Out 52 Species of Birds at Banshee Reeks

American Goldfinch.
Photo by John Denice

The June 14 Banshee Reeks walk led by Mike Sciortino and Kevin and John Denice was small but mighty. The group started off with 10 birders, but three had to leave early so it was three leaders and four participants for much of the walk. Two of our birders were first timers. We decided to go down the Cathedral trail for a change, and it worked out well. This is the time of year when most birds are heard and not seen. We did hear many birds, but we also got good looks at Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, American Goldfinches, Field Sparrows and an Eastern Kingbird. We also got to see a Bald Eagle, a Green Heron perched in the top of a tree, Red-eyed Vireos, a Raven and a Hairy Woodpecker.

We heard, but did not see, Prairie Warblers, a Scarlet Tanager, an Orchard Oriole, Eastern Towhees and Wood Thrushes. We also saw two very late migrants: a Palm Warbler and a Blue-headed Vireo. We found a total of 52 species despite the cloudy weather and threat of rain. The complete list can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S250229335.