April 16, 2017 Grand VUE

We had a record number of participants for birding this Saturday morning.  With twelve in the group, we took the typical route, which usually takes about 90 minutes.  We probably only go about a mile and a half, so the nature of the walk is all about birding, stopping, listening, and looking.  We began by examining a pile of flicker feathers.  I now have encountered 3 such mounds, so it is safe to say, the Cooper's hawk seems to have a preference.  It was a perfect day, bright, sunny, and 75 degrees, with no leaves yet to obstruct our views.  Towhees, Phoebe, sparrows (chipping, song, field), as well as pileated, red bellied, and downy all were observed.  A pileated did a fly by, and several were heard as these birds are in territorial mode.  Bluebird nests have 5 eggs, and one female stayed briefly in a nestbox when I opened it.  Three in the group had cameras (nice cameras at that) and pictures were taken.  We took the full 90 minutes, and enjoyed every step.  Hope to see some warblers, Orioles, cuckoos, and other migrants by next hike.