It looks like Purple Martins are definitely going to be using the gourd houses on the campus. I saw a pair checking out the accommodations yesterday. The male seemed unconcerned by my presence.
But the female gave me a long hard look.
The Western Kingbirds haven't arrived yet but I'm watching for them. I just hope all the construction work won't put them off and make them decide to nest somewhere else this year.
I was a little surprised to see that a couple of Chipping Sparrows and a small flock of Savannah Sparrows are still hanging around. I had thought they would have left by now.
I'll check what's left of the nature trail this morning in hopes that last night's front may have brought in some migrants. Unfortunately, to do this I'll have to plod and slide across acres of mud left by the earth-moving machines!
Paul Rushing Park
I popped in at the park for a few minutes and found that it still has a group of 50 or so Short-billed Dowitchers. The plumage of some of the birds is really quite striking.
There were also a couple of Least Sandpipers and a solitary Black-necked Stilt.
Least Sandpiper
5 comments:
Glad to see the PM's showed up. I cant ever recall seeing them at the gourds even when they were over by the community gardens.
Jeff, I was out there in the back of the campus last week around 7:00PM. I must say I was surprised to say the least. I hadn't been there since last fall...what a change. Everything is just about gone! The nature trail doesn't go back to the far tree line, there is construction next to the small trail ponds, the 'sparrow fields' are gone AND the community garden is no more. I'll just add the location to the list of places to tell my grand kids......"I used to go birding and take nature walks out there".
I hope the Kingbirds make a return!
I'm really disappointed that for the second year in a row it seems we are to have no Purple Martins nesting in our yard. They have abandoned us since we installed a new condominium in the winter of 2008-09. I'm beginning to think they just don't like that house.
The campus certainly has changed and most of the greener area will not be returning. The start of the nature trail (with the small ponds) is still okay and worth a look now and then. Some birds have adapted well, too: for example, the Savannah Sparrows now graze under the PM house.
Sorry to hear that, Birdwoman. On the good side, you seem to be getting plenty of other birds to make up for their absence.
Sorry to hear that, Birdwoman. On the good side, you seem to be getting plenty of other birds to make up for their absence.
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