We've had a lot of rain and fairly severe weather. That resulted in no takers for our hike today on this overcast and cool morning. However, those same conditions result in many birds being forced out of the air, their flights grounded or at least delayed. So it was actually a perfect day for birding. So I added to my Grand Vue list today the following birds: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-throated Warbler. I also saw Indigo Bunting, Eastern Wood-pewee, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Vireo and much activity at the nest boxes. My list now includes 53 species all seen at Grand Vue. I took some pictures of the young birds in two bluebird nests and the eggs in the tree swallow nest posting several to this blog. Grand vue looked great and really there was no rain, just wet conditions.
I'm not available for the next two weeks so birding is on your own....... but often that yields best results. Until June 8, enjoy the sights, sounds, and birds of Spring. Remember we are scheduled to do an off trail hike.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
MAY 11, 2013 Grand Vue Birding
Our next birding hike is Saturday, May 11, 2013. We meet rain or shine at the banquet hall and go from there. Dress for the weather and plan to see Bluebird chicks and tree swallow eggs. Who knows what the next walk will yield so bring your birding challenge checklists or pick one up in the main office. See you at Grand Vue!
Monday, May 6, 2013
"OFF TRAIL" Bird Hike at Grand Vue on June 8
June 8 9:30-11:30 Banquet Hall
Of course everyone is welcome to
come and form a group to walk the traditional trail loop, looking at the
progress made by bluebirds, orioles, sparrows, and other birds not yet seen.
On this day Woody will lead a
group to explore new habitat. With several people using the “BIG Challenge
Birding List” we have to seek out some of those more difficult birds. So, beginning at the banquet hall at 9:30 we
will go off trail moving down into the ravine where we will find steep banks, small creeks, mature trees, and deep leave
matter. This change in habitat should result
in finding several species that one would never see up on the ridges. Several flycatchers and warblers, in
particular Northern and Louisiana Water
Thrush are much more common in these remote locations.
Please be advised should you
choose to take this hiking adventure, wear hiking apparel. The hike down into the ravine isn’t so bad
but the walk back up to Grand Vue is quite the work-out. If we see birds this hike could take as long
as two hours.
SEE YOU AT GRAND VUE!
MAY 4 AND 5, 2013 Birding Group at Grand Vue
On Saturday, May 4 I met with five others and enjoyed a great day with perfect weather. The orioles continue to be vocal and abundant. The American Redstarts are in high numbers this year as we saw many birds in many different locations. In addition we added tree swallows to our lists. In fact, a pair of swallows is using the bluebird box on the post behind the banquet hall. I was hoping for swallows as I placed two boxes too close together for bluebirds to build nests in both. With 80 birds on the list I now have 47 birds observed. Of note I have yet to see the elusive house sparrow at Grand Vue, ha ha!
On Sunday, May 5 I returned for an evening walk. I have been considering an off trail day with those who want to explore other habitats. So I walked down into a ravine. It paid off with more good birds. More Redstarts and a catbird were the first birds. I added Wood Thrush and Rose Breasted Gross Beak. But my favorite birds were two seperate pairs of Louisiana Water Thrush. This was the primary intent for my hike. The habitat was classic water thrush; steep banks, lots of leaves, heavy shade, and a small creek. Once in the ravine I simply followed the creek bed searching for waterthrush. As I walked a bird flew straight at me with the direct flight of a water thrush. Picture steep banks to either side, me on a rock in the creek bed, and a water thrush flying straight at me. The bird landed but 15-20 feet away, bobbing its tail constantly as it foraged for food. I struggle with identifying Louisiana and Northern Water Thrush so I used my app on my iphone. After seeing the reaction to the audio I knew I was looking at a Louisiana! After staying for a good 15 minutes I left that pair behind only to find another pair 15 minutes down streem. I really enjoyed the hike and vowed to invite others to do the same. I took 2 hours to complete the walk but time well spent indeed.
On Sunday, May 5 I returned for an evening walk. I have been considering an off trail day with those who want to explore other habitats. So I walked down into a ravine. It paid off with more good birds. More Redstarts and a catbird were the first birds. I added Wood Thrush and Rose Breasted Gross Beak. But my favorite birds were two seperate pairs of Louisiana Water Thrush. This was the primary intent for my hike. The habitat was classic water thrush; steep banks, lots of leaves, heavy shade, and a small creek. Once in the ravine I simply followed the creek bed searching for waterthrush. As I walked a bird flew straight at me with the direct flight of a water thrush. Picture steep banks to either side, me on a rock in the creek bed, and a water thrush flying straight at me. The bird landed but 15-20 feet away, bobbing its tail constantly as it foraged for food. I struggle with identifying Louisiana and Northern Water Thrush so I used my app on my iphone. After seeing the reaction to the audio I knew I was looking at a Louisiana! After staying for a good 15 minutes I left that pair behind only to find another pair 15 minutes down streem. I really enjoyed the hike and vowed to invite others to do the same. I took 2 hours to complete the walk but time well spent indeed.
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