More snow. about 4 inches, 33° and overcast. The weather is what it is, and there is no sense in complaining about it. Today was the first of the spring bird walks at the Arboretum. I was running a little late. I like to get there at least 15 minutes before the start to open the gate and I wasn’t going to be that early today. I was just 10 minutes early and sure enough, there were people waiting, wondering if the walk was going to be canceled. These walks have been going on for 76 years. I don’t think they have ever been canceled.
It was actually remarkable. Practically the first bird we saw was a Fox Sparrow. Then among some Gulls flying over, Ring-billed Gulls but I noticed a large white-winged gull among them. A Glaucous Gull! very unusual away from the lake and a new bird for the Arboretum list. Around Blueberry Pond, American Tree Sparrows and then we heard a long tseeee. Like a Kinglet but too long in duration. I pished and out popped a male Purple Finch. Beautiful.
As we were starting our loop of Corning Lake, Kent, an acquaintance of many years caught up with us and told us about two Sandhill Cranes near the overflow parking area. Our walk around Corning was more brisk in anticipation of seeing these large birds. A Common Loon in breeding plumage, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Kestrel were highlights along the way, but then to the parking lot. There they were, feeding in the snow covered grass. Only the second time I have seen Sandhill Crane, at Holden.
It was actually remarkable. Practically the first bird we saw was a Fox Sparrow. Then among some Gulls flying over, Ring-billed Gulls but I noticed a large white-winged gull among them. A Glaucous Gull! very unusual away from the lake and a new bird for the Arboretum list. Around Blueberry Pond, American Tree Sparrows and then we heard a long tseeee. Like a Kinglet but too long in duration. I pished and out popped a male Purple Finch. Beautiful.
As we were starting our loop of Corning Lake, Kent, an acquaintance of many years caught up with us and told us about two Sandhill Cranes near the overflow parking area. Our walk around Corning was more brisk in anticipation of seeing these large birds. A Common Loon in breeding plumage, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and American Kestrel were highlights along the way, but then to the parking lot. There they were, feeding in the snow covered grass. Only the second time I have seen Sandhill Crane, at Holden.
The walk ended with only 33 species but two remarkable species in that total. Not bad for a cold snowy morning.
