Some late May birding here and there over the last few days brought in a few new year birds for me. Summer residents have all pretty much arrived and it's wonderful to have them back!
I saw Grasshopper Sparrows at Tillman Road WMA. Drawn by the buzzing sounds of the sparrows, I picked my way out over the mounds being very careful to watch for nesting birds. Every once in awhile, a Meadowlark or Boblink sang out their light, musical songs as they flew overhead - and I was happy to hear and see a Horned Lark up there too. I finally found one of the Grasshopper Sparrows perched on a short plant buzzily singing his heart out. I sat down to take a few photos but close by, a Savannah Sparrow sat down competing for my camera's attention. I didn't see the Upland Sandpipers like I had hoped; maybe I was a little too early yet...
Out at Iroquois Wildlife Nature Refuge, I went in pursuit of the Prothonotary Warbler, who eluded me for a couple of hours before I was finally rewarded with an appearance. A Black-billed Cuckoo flew in before the warbler and I was thrilled to see one of those again! I finally got a few photos of a Northern Waterthrush at the refuge too...
My friend,
Gale, and I went down to Presque Isle last weekend and saw quite a few warblers, flycatchers, and some Dunlin. My favorite sighting was of a Canada Warbler who popped out in the open for a few moments during a little skirmish with another bird.
Other birds seen were Black Terns, Alder, Willow, Least, and Great-crested Flycatchers, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Kingbirds, Yellow, Wilson's, and Blackpoll Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpipers, Eastern Bluebirds, Osprey, Great Egrets, Great Blue and Green Herons, Field, Song, and Chipping Sparrows - and probably a few more that I'm forgetting! Great birding!