The Stroud Preserve, 27 March 2013

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Today was a continuation of the slow slide from winter to spring. The fields of the preserve are just starting to show a greenish tint to them and more birds seem to be singing. There were still small patches of snow left over from Monday when we had about three inches or so. I certainly home those few clumps were the last grip that winter holds for now. The wind was a factor, again, being quite strong at times, which makes it difficult to hear some of the higher pitched calls and chip of some species. 

One of the bigger changes that I noted to day was the lack of Canada Geese. I saw only 7! Today was the first time since the fall that I had less than 100 geese at the preserve. Another oddity was that I saw more Fish Crows than American Crows. That is the first time that has happened.  Another birder reported to me that they had observed a Northern Rough-winged Swallow along the Brandywine yesterday. I had high hopes that I would see one today. I checked all the Tree Swallows pretty thoroughly and came up empty. Looking at last years field notes the only species that was present then that is not present now are Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Brown Thrashers. The plant life was certainly much further along last year at this time. Bloodroot, in particular, was already in full bloom. Again, I think I'm going to have to have a little take with a certain groundhog about our regional weather trends! 

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Start time: 8:50

End time: 11:00

Temp: 37-45°

Wind: 8-21mph from the NNW

Skies: mostly clear

Species Total: 44

  • Great Blue Heron – 1
  • Black Vulture – 3
  • Turkey Vulture – approximately 15
  • Canada Goose – 7
  • Mallard – 2
  • Bald Eagle – 1
  • Red-tailed Hawk – 3
  • Wilson's Snipe – 2
  • Mourning Dove – 3
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker – 5
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1
  • Downy Woodpecker – 4
  • Hairy Woodpecker – 1
  • Northern Flicker – 2
  • Pileated Woodpecker – 2
  • Eastern Phoebe – 2
  • Blue Jay – approximately 10
  • American Crow – approximately 10
  • Fish Crow – approximately 25
  • Tree Swallow – approximately 150
  • Carolina Chickadee – approximately 10
  • Tufted Titmouse – 4
  • White-breasted Nuthatch – 1, hear only
  • Carolina Wren – 5
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet – 1
  • Eastern Bluebird – approximately 15
  • American Robin – approximately 125
  • Northern Mockingbird – 2
  • European Starling – approximately 20
  • Eastern Towhee – 3
  • Field Sparrow – approximately 12, many singing
  • Savannah Sparrow – 1
  • Fox Sparrow – 1
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 25
  • Swamp Sparrow – 1
  • White-throated Sparrow – 5
  • Dark-eyed Junco – 8
  • Northern Cardinal – approximately 10
  • Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 30
  • Eastern Meadowlark – 1
  • Common Grackle – 1
  • Brown-headed Cowbird – approximately 15
  • House Finch – 2
  • American Goldfinch – 3

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