Chirps and Cheeps

Driving through South Wales the other day, I came upon a little flock of American Pipits in a corn field.  I had seen this flock about a week earlier but didn't get on them fast enough to identify.  I suspected Horned Larks, but I could never confirm.  Today, I got my bins on them a lot faster and was able to determine they were American Pipits.  It's the first time I've seen them here in Erie County. There were about 20 of them and I only got off 2 camera shots before they took off again. They're tough to nail down! I never refound them today again either.

Down another road, I found 14 Pine Siskins; I heard them well before I laid eyes on one, their zippy finch-like noises alerting me to their presence.  They were at a bird lover's feeders that I often pass when birding down that way. Karen loves her birds and is very friendly; she even offered to rescue me one day when my car battery died while I was a little further down the road watching the perched Red-shouldered Hawk.  It was Karen's well stocked feeders that the siskins had stopped at. They were quite vocal and I really enjoyed watching this little flock from my car as they fed at her feeders. I've had a few sightings of Pine Siskins this winter, but this was the best!

Over at Sinking Ponds, I saw a Great-blue Heron who had found a little bit of open water in the small pond on the west side of the entrance road. He was with a small group of Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, and a few Canada Geese. I'm anxious for more water to open up here!

On my way back home, I passed a Killdeer in the fields, a Turkey Vulture perched on a rooftop, and I saw a gorgeous male Pileated Woodpecker working on a new excavation in Emery Park. I always enjoy a pileated sighting!

A Blue-winged Teal was found by Joe Fell at Forest Lawn and I was happy to see the beautiful male. I did a little walking around the cemetery but no other spring migrants had arrived that I could find. The duck was beautiful, though, and I enjoyed seeing it at fairly close range.

In Dunkirk, I tried for a Eurasian Wigeon that had been found but I dipped on that sighting. However, the harbor provided my first Northern Shoveler of the year, a handsome male in breeding plumage. He and a Horned Grebe gave me a very nice photo opportunity.  Over at a nearby marsh, where I tried for the wigeon, I saw my first Wood Ducks of the year, along with Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, and many Ring-necked Ducks.

Back at home, I was happy to find Song Sparrows, a male Purple Finch, and a Common Grackle at our feeders. Oh happy day, Spring is starting to spring!