A good week with 13 new species (Baltimore Oriole, Barn Swallow, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Chimney Swift, Gray Catbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Green Heron, Least Flycatcher, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Wood Thrush) which now brings our total to 82 species for the season. So, the week did start out a little slow but picked up on Saturday and Sunday. With quite a few new species being found on Saturday the 27th, which happens to also be my Birthday. I have had a Baltimore Oriole show up for my birthday almost every year now. This week also marked the first time I heard the Black-throated Green Warbler which have such a distinctive buzzy ZEE ZEE ZU ZEE song that I love so much plus the Ovenbirds loud “Teacher Teacher Teacher” call which can echo through woodlands all summer long. The Great-crested Flycatcher was a slightly early arriving bird found early in the week. Walking around Kleinstuck this week I noticed how many of the trees are full of leaves and with the warm and humid temperatures on Saturday and Sunday it sure felt like mid-May, very strange! This coming week the weather looks to continue to be very warm so look for a bunch of new species like warblers, vireos, and thrushes and who knows maybe a surprise or two. So get out and enjoy because the birds might be coming through quick this year
– John Brenneman, KNC Senior Avian Biologist
Pictured: Rose breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
