Sedge Wren
Around a dozen participants enjoyed 41 bird species this past Saturday during the Friends of Pheasant Branch field trip, quite a bit better than I expected. It was pretty hot, but a morning breeze kept it from becoming unbearable. We saw the typical nesters, but somewhat of a surprise was a Clay-colored Sparrow (which I’ve only ever seen there before during fall migration) chasing a Field Sparrow off its territory. It was also interesting how vocal birds were given the steamy weather. One highlight was an extremely close-up look at a pair of Cedar Waxwings collecting nesting material from various grasses. Other gems of the field and prairie included Sedge Wrens, Dickcissels, Indigo Buntings, Willow Flycatcher, American Kestrel and more.
Spiderwort
We also spent a little time identifying various wildflowers growing along the prairie restoration site, but I’m still a novice at this and depend on Tom’s expertise – that’s why I bring him along on these field trips!
False Sunflower
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Eastern Wood Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Sedge Wren
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
All images © 2006 Mike McDowell