Seven hardy souls joined the York County Audubon Society on its Saturday April 28th walk, led by Rob Speirs, canvasing Portland’s Stroudwater Marsh, Capisic Park, Evergreen Cemetery, and River Point Conservation Area in Falmouth on a blustery day. Rob began with a description of the output from NEXRAD Radar, showing extremely light movement of birds overnight, due to a high pressure system that’s blocking migration into the northeast. The high pressure system parked overhead, chill air and stiff breeze conspired to put a damper on the birds, but the congenial and upbeat group was motivated to compile a respectable list, in spite of challenging conditions.
The morning kicked off at Stroudwater, highlighted by Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as Great and Snowy Egrets in the marsh behind the office buildings.
Capisic Park saw warbler numbers down, but the group enjoyed great looks at several Northern Rough-winged Swallows, vocalizing with their insect-like calls, and watched a Sharpie take a shot at the mix of wheeling Tree and Rough-winged Swallows. This little drama was immediately followed with an over-flight by a Cooper’s Hawk, landing in a tree across the stream, before continuing it patrol of the neighborhood. The recently reported Virginia Rails were silent, but all enjoyed good looks at drake Wood Ducks and a Canada Goose on its nest.
Evergreen Cemetery, with tree tops tossed about in increasing winds, proved a challenge. The group considered overturning rocks and leaf litter in an effort to locate birds. Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwings and three Red-tailed Hawks were best birds.
River Point Conservation Area in Falmouth, our last stop, was a fast tour of a new birding location for many participants. If few birds were to be found, participants were pleased to be able to familiarize themselves with this excellent spring migrant trap, where Blue-winged Warblers have been consistent for a number of years.
Below is the list from a challenging birding day.
- Canada Goose
- Ring-billed Gull
- Wood Duck
- American Black Duck
- Mallard
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Turkey Vulture
- Osprey
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Greater Yellowlegs
- Lesser Yellowlegs
- Herring Gull
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- Belted Kingfisher
- Northern Flicker
- Eastern Phoebe
- Blue Jay
- American Crow
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Tree Swallow
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Eastern Bluebird
- American Robin
- European Starling
- Cedar Waxwing
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Chipping Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Northern Cardinal
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- American Goldfinch
- House Sparrow
