It was a very interesting week adding eight new species to bring the total to 69 now. The new species were Belted Kingfisher, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue-winged Teal, Broad-winged Hawk, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Nashville Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. The Blue-winged Teal are a pair and might be checking this place out for a nesting location. Both the Nashville Warbler and Northern Waterthrush were a few days earlier than normal. So no matter how many times you do a survey there will always be some birds that eludes you. This happened this week when a female Summer Tanager was reported at Kleinstuck on Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning. Despite my best efforts and many other birders efforts it was only seen those two times. Birdwatching sometimes means you have to be lucky enough to be in the right place and at the right time. There was also an American Black Duck that flew in with some Mallards but flew out pretty quickly and was only observed by one person and remained in Kleinstuck for a short time frame.
The Great Horned Owls that we have been observing had a fledgling that left the nest site and is now what they call a “Branchling”. This means it will remain away from the nest and climb around in the trees with small flights and flapping of its wings to build muscles. They are still being watched over by the parents and they will continue to feed it. When they are at this stage they pretty much look like a large white and brown puffball. There have also been lots of White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes around this last week and you can expect even more this coming week. Also this week I think you can pull out the oranges and grape jelly because I expect the Orioles and Grosbeaks will be arriving very soon. Some other species to watch for would be Black-throated Green, Yellow, and Black-and-white Warblers along with Common Yellowthroat. Just remember you can only be in the right place at the right time if you get out there so enjoy the weather.
– John Brenneman, KNC Senior Avian Biologist
pictured: White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) by Mary Smith
Great horned owl “branchling” (Bubo virginianus) at Kleinstuck Nature Preserve by John Brenneman, Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) by John Brenneman
