Chirps and Cheeps

While checking out some of the hotspots in Dunkirk, I came upon some Vesper Sparrows in a farm field just before Berry Rd. Marsh.  I was not all that surprised to see them as Gale had reported seeing one over near King Road in Sheridan and I had heard one was found at Forest Lawn Cemetery a day earlier. They must be on the move this week.

Killdeer were also out in the fields and there was a pair of American Kestrels sitting next to one another nearby.

At the marsh, it was nice watching another two couples: a pair of Eastern Bluebirds and a pair of Belted Kingfishers.  Love is in the air!

In addition to a few Tree Swallows flitting about, I enjoyed watching kettles of Turkey Vultures that were taking advantage of the warm thermals.  Every now and then, mixed-in with the vultures, I found some other goodies: 1 Osprey, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, and 1 Red-shouldered Hawk.

A little later, I decided to try for the Long-billed Dowitchers that were found up in Hamlin.  It would be a long drive, but it was such a beautiful day, I thought I'd enjoy making the trip.  To my surprise, the dowitchers were still there.  I took a few photos of the pair, but the lighting was so harsh, even with some post processing, the photos didn't turn out well enough to do the pair of shorebirds justice.  They were beautiful, though.

Driving back home, I encountered so many kestrels, I began to count them.  I was up to 24 by the time I got off the parkway.  Amazing!  They must have had a good migration flight that day!  And this same phenomenon happened last year right about this exact, same week.  I saw pairs of them perched in trees, singles perched on signs - they were all over!  Being that they are one of my top 3 favorite birds, I was thrilled to see so many!