Migratory bird hike at Lake Leatherwood

Cold, windy, gray. Not an attractive day. Fourteen folks was a record attendance thoiugh, some coming from Rogers and Bentonville. Species count was pretty low for this time of year, 46, opposed to the ususal around 60. There was only one migrant, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. All others were either late winter or early summer residents. Most of the breeding warblers were present and singing. Not all the usual summer birds have arrived, still no Summer Tanagers, nor Acadian Flycatchers. Vireo numbers low, and no migrant vireos. The cold weather and relentless fronts from the north have slowed down migration throughout the midwest.

But we had a great day, good company, and several people saw birds they had never seen or seen well. That was satisfying.

Joys of Dawdling, new yardbirds

I was goofing around before leaving home for town, repotting and whatnot, and got the first of year Indigo Bunting, a Palm Warbler, and an Orchard Oriole. But the White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows are still here, and I even saw one Junco yesterday.

Lake Leatherwood, Osprey

Just a quick stop while the laundry was drying. An Osprey fishing at the shallow end. More Gnatcatchers. A Field Sparrow.