Photo: Black-tailed Deer by Philip Dickinson
July 11, 2023
Trafton Trailhead Park on the Whitehorse Trail was a new place for most of the group, and they loved it. Among birds observed were Lazuli Bunting, Vaux Swift, Willow Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker and Red-eyed Vireo. At River Meadows County Park, Bank Swallows fed young at their nesting colony, while a Common Merganser with chicks swam downstream. At Nakashima Barn, Virginia Rail and Sora called from the marsh pond, and we saw Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle and Cedar Waxwing. Lake Armstrong Road yielded Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hutton’s Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. We ended the day at Eagle Trail/Haller Park with great views of two Brown Creepers. Our mammal list included coyote and black-tailed deer.
55 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, John H., Victor, Graham, Barry, Dianna, Denny, Marcia, Judy B., Ken, Reg, Jane, Pam T., Pam P., John E., Sue B.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Mallard (2), Common Merganser (9)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Great Blue Heron (1)
VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (4)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (3), Sora (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (1)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Mourning Dove (2)
NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFTS: Vaux Swift (2)
HUMMMINGBIRDS: Rufous Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (2), Downy Woodpecker (2), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (3)
FLYCATCHERS: Western Wood-Pewee (3), Willow Flycatcher (3), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (2)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Hutton’s Vireo (1), Warbling Vireo (2), Red-eyed Vireo (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2), American Crow (4)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (2), Violet-green Swallow (3), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (3), Bank Swallow (30), Cliff Swallow (15), Barn Swallow (5)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (12), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (3)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (3), Brown Creeper (2)
WRENS: Marsh Wren (7)
THRUSHES: Swainson’s Thrush (13), American Robin (18)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (15)
WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (5)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Common Yellowthroat (3), Yellow Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (6), Song Sparrow (24), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (3)
TANAGERS, GROSBEAKS: Western Tanager (1), Black-headed Grosbeak (4), Lazuli Bunting (2)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (11), Brewer’s Blackbird (3), Brown-headed Cowbird (1), Bullock’s Oriole (2)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: American Goldfinch (6)