Nothing beats May at the marsh! This beautiful morning 26 participants tallied 74 species, not quite close to last May’s 81, but well above this month’s average of 68.
A Least Bittern was heard along Marble Street, just north of the kiosk, giving its low chuckle. One American Bittern was heard and one was seen. Two Green Herons were observed at the mid-point of the walk along Pleasant Street. Five Great Blue Herons were flying high in formation, perhaps towards the heronry in Florence.
Two Virginia Rails were seen well near the boardwalk engaged in, well, making more rails. A third rail was heard along Water Street. Wilson’s Snipe have been in much evidence this year – one was heard from the boardwalk and there were two more near the power line.
Virginia RailThe full flycatcher contingent is in: Alder, Willow, Least, Great-crested Flycatcher were all present as well as Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Kingbird, all very vocal.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch, a species not often seen at the marsh, was observed near a possible nest hole. Interestingly no White-breasted Nuthatches were seen.
All three of the expected thrushes were singing – Veery, Hermit and Wood. A fourth thrush, an American Robin, was seen carrying food. Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles were also carrying food so the season is well underway.
Along with Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats along the whole route, there was a nice assortment of warblers along Whipple Hollow Road. Three Canada Warblers and a Northern Waterthrush were in their usual spots. Also present were Ovenbird, Black-and-white, Nashville, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped and Black-throated Green.
One Savannah Sparrow was singing along Marble Street.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, at 7 a.m.
The day's list:
Canada Goose 14 |
Warbling Vireo 9 Red-eyed Vireo 7 Blue Jay 13 American Crow 3 Common Raven 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Tree Swallow 5 Barn Swallow 6 Black-capped Chickadee 13 Tufted Titmouse 4 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 House Wren 3 Marsh Wren 11 Veery 7 Hermit Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 8 Gray Catbird 18 European Starling 2 Cedar Waxwing 4 Ovenbird 7 Northern Waterthrush 1 Black-and-white Warbler 4 Nashville Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 30 |
American Redstart 14 Northern Parula 2 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 19 Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Canada Warbler 3 Chipping Sparrow 2 Savannah Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 12 Swamp Sparrow 17 Eastern Towhee 1 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 6 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Red-winged Blackbird 34 Common Grackle 8 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Baltimore Oriole 4 House Finch 2 Purple Finch 3 American Goldfinch 26 House Sparrow 1 |