Early Saturday Morning Birding

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House Wren out at Denning’s Point State Park, 6/1/13.

I got up early to try to beat the heat this morning and headed out to Denning’s Point State Park. I had not been out there since last year, so I was hoping to have some luck with Green Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons. As it turned out, the park was not extremely birdy on this day and I did not see any herons at all.  All told I had 22 species, many of which were only heard. On my way back to the car I enjoyed the highlight  of the visit, an amazing Red-tail Hawk with beautiful markings.

I love the markings on this bird, particularly the very light head and the
I love the markings on this bird, particularly the very light head and the very dark area at the base of the bill – I’m not sure if that would be considered the Mustachial stripe or the Malar (or both?). Red-tailed Hawk on a light post at Denning’s Point State Park, 6/1/13.
I sat on a rock and watched this bird for a good while. Periodically a Red-winged Blackbird would dive-bomb the hawk...
I sat on a rock and watched this bird for a good while. Periodically a Red-winged Blackbird would dive-bomb the hawk…
...eventually the hawk had had enough and took off, giving me a great look at its gorgeous red tail.
…eventually the hawk had had enough and took off, giving me a great look at its gorgeous red tail.

I left Denning’s Point and then headed to Kenridge Farm. I walked the extensive trails there for close to two hours and although I did not see or hear anything our of the ordinary, I did pretty well, identifying 28 species of birds. My “best birds” where: Brown Thrasher, four Killdeer (two of which I believe were immatures), a female Mallard with ducklings, and a pair of Green Herons.

I finally got a good enough look at a Green Heron for a photo. Kenridge Farm 6/1/13.
I finally got a good enough look at a Green Heron for a photo. Kenridge Farm 6/1/13.
Three of four Killdeer out at Kenridge Farm, 6/1/13.
Three of four Killdeer out at Kenridge Farm, 6/1/13.

The heat was getting pretty unbearable and the harsh sun was making for difficult photography when I wrapped it up at 11:30 am. It was a morning of enjoyable, but not amazing, birding.

 

2 thoughts on “Early Saturday Morning Birding”

    1. I thought so too! I think I might have taken some distant photos of this same bird last year – I have to look on my old computer to see…

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