Migratory Bird Day Hike

About ten folks showed up for the annual Bird Day Hike. Conditions were less than ideal for seeing birds, since the early warmth this spring coupled with the recent rains has got the trees fully leafed out, rather than the more open state they are usually in this time of year. We got some great looks at a female Yllow Warbler, a singing Blackpoll Warbler (which is a new bird for Lake Leatherwood), male and female Baltimore Orioles, Bluebirds, a White-eyed Vireo, and some other usual suspects. A lot of birds were heard but were impossible to see. A favorite with the crowd was a Yellow-breasted Chat.

After the hike some folks came by for the bird blind dedication, a very informal affair, but productive of some good ideas. They said they liked the blind, and seemed sincere.

Before the hike started I heard a bird singing that wasn't familiar, and tried to find it. Sounded sort of like an Indigo Bunting, but not exactly. I was able to find it in the top of a tree uphill from the big meadow, and eventually saw enough red on the chest of a blue bird to figure out it was a Lazuli Bunting. This species has been seen three times in Arkansas as far as I know right now, ie, a big deal. I've played some recordings, and the sound seems to match as well. Needless to say that's a new bird for Leatherwood too.