Birding in the Neighborhoods - South Report

By Cathi Bower

We’ve nearly doubled our species sightings in just a couple weeks! Back in early April at Waterman Shoreline Preserve, even missing the usual shore-type ducks and peeps, we did identify at least 30 species, plus a couple who were too quick for us. We spied a Hutton’s Vireo on a nest, and witnessed an excellent comparison between American Crows and a Common Raven, who flew over with something large in its bill that the crows did not appreciate.

We may have made another trip to watch the HUVI nest if Deer Lagoon hadn’t been calling–it was a glorious morning during which we identified over 50 species, including every duck you might imagine, and the Caspian Terns are back! We watched an eagle come along and make the First of Season Osprey drop its catch! No one wound up with that fish. There were hundreds of beautiful Bonaparte’s Gulls out, all with their black heads and their interesting voices. Plus along the drive to and from DL, we added a Steller’s Jay and Brewer’s Blackbirds, and at the Park and Ride, Pine Siskins and a Red-tailed Hawk. It was hard to stop watching.

See upcoming field trips, including BIN outings, on our events calendar.