Hi, I’m Katelyn and I wanted to tell you all how wonderful my last OYBC trip was!
First of all, I was so happy to see my friends again! I could finally tell them about all of my mini birding adventures and catch up with their lives. The birds were sort of sleepy, so to speak that day, but I enjoyed hanging out with my “long distance” buddies. Even if most birds weren’t hopping around, my favorite sighting was the Fox Sparrow; it had been only the second time I’ve ever seen one! The Wood Ducks really really fun to watch too, and I was proud to point out the beautiful pair to my mom. I was happy to teach and learn at the same time while I was there. It so refreshing to be with people who share your common interests.
After our cheerful walk around the Cemetery, we met in a Chapel to discuss our future adventures. While we talked we had some delicious, home-made cookies and warm hot cocoa. After hearing all the things we had planned, I was nearly jumping out of my seat with excitement. I even volunteered to become a part of the Youth Advisory Board; they warmly accepted right away.
I can tell you, I walked away from that trip with a huge smile on my face.
Here’s a list of the 22 bird species seen:
2 Wood Duck— One Pair (male and female)
15 Mallard— Courtship of one male (head bobbing) seen (Breeding Code: C)
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Ring-billed Gull— Possibly more… count of only two confirmed though. Near entrance
X Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
14 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
3 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
1 Carolina Chickadee
4 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Carolina Wren
2 Eastern Bluebird
X American Robin
X European Starling
3 Fox Sparrow— Near the pit underneath an evergreen bush
2 Dark-eyed Junco
5 White-throated Sparrow— Mixed in with the Fox Sparrows… One Tan-striped Variety/Sex of WTSP
1 Song Sparrow
4 Northern Cardinal
X House Finch
4 American Goldfinch