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DVOC Field Trip Report
by Art McMorris
Saturday May 20, 2006 - RIDLEY CREEK STATE PARK
| Today was a beautiful day for birding.
It was 50 degrees and overcast when we stared at 6:30 AM, but after a
few light sprinkles, it cleared up and by the time we were finished at
1 PM it was nearly 70 degrees. We birded the bridle trail in the northern
part of the park. This trail with its many branches follows Ridley Creek
and its small feeder streams for much part of its length, and goes through
hardwood forest, pine plantations, fields, old fields and scrub/shrub
habitat. Most of the breeders were in and singing on territory, and a
fair number of migrants were also seen, giving us good numbers and variety
of birds. Altogether we tallied 56 species. Breeders seen and heard included
Acadian and Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireo, Veery,
Wood Thrush, 11 species of warbler including Kentucky, Hooded, Blue-winged
and Chestnut-sided, Scarlet Tanager and Indigo Bunting. Migrants included
Canada Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and Swainson’s Thrush. Highlights
included several Kentucky and Hooded Warblers, two Yellow-billed Cuckoos,
Scarlet Tanager, great looks at Canada Warblers, an Indigo Bunting in
perfect light, a strikingly-colored Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a very
cooperative Swainson’s Thrush. The biggest miss was Louisiana Waterthrush:
these early breeders stop singing and become much harder to find at this
time of year. |
Birds seen and heard (56 species): Great Blue Heron |