NPV Birding: Occupied Nests

Sure signs of spring during last week's walk at North Park Village. From redbud trees beginning to flower to a growing number of visible nests!

We started as usual by looking over the prairie and into the lagoon. First to greet us there was a Green Heron, perched high on the other side of the park. We also watched a trio of Red-bellied Woodpeckers fly to and fro the left and right, and finally landing on a single tree.

Things slowed down a bit as we headed east except for a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. But once we turned the corner, we all got great looks at a Pied-billed Grebe. For many, this was the first time they saw the changes to the landscape but this moment sure highlighted opportunities gained by the clearing.

Arriving at the bridge, we caught a glimpse at a new nest. Many of us initially thought it was a robin nest. From the right angle, however, you could see the yellow eye of a Common Grackle. Nearby a pair of Tree Swallows occupied a nest box, flying in and out, and perching over the west pond. We also spotted the nesting American Robin continuing on the nest along the path.

Reaching the biome crossings, several Blue Jays nestled in a white flowering tree. Let's take a closer look at this tree next time. At a nearby park, I found a nesting pair of blue jay in a similar tree. Perhaps this caused the blue jay cries we heard along the path.

Once in the Wooded Trail, we saw several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, more Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Brown Creeper. There was also a swift little House Wren we originally misidentified as a Winter Wren. You may want to update your checklist. There was also a thrush we didn't get a good look at.

In the Savannah trail, we found yet another nest, this one belonging to a pair of Cooper's Hawks! We could just barely make out the tail and upon further inspection, we could see the other hawk perched nearby. A happy sight after last year's continual spotting of this species.

Further along the trail, the song of a Purple Finch lured us back to the main loop. Perched way up high and camouflaged well made it was hard for many to see. We ended our walk with 39 species. A number that is sure to climb even further in the coming weeks. For more images, see the checklist on eBird below.

This weekend looks promising for migratory movement. Sunday in particular with overnight rain just north of the city potentially acting as a catalyst for birds stopping over in the area.

This NAM model comes from Greg Neise, showing Sunday morning's rain at 4AM.

eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S169457150
Bird List:

1. Canada Goose
2. Wood Duck
3. Mallard
4. Hooded Merganser
5. Pied-billed Grebe
6. Mourning Dove
7. Ring-billed Gull
8. Green Heron
9. Great Blue Heron
10. Turkey Vulture
11. Cooper's Hawk
12. Red-tailed Hawk
13. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
14. Red-bellied Woodpecker
15. Downy Woodpecker
16. Hairy Woodpecker
17. Northern Flicker
18. Eastern Phoebe
19. Blue Jay
20. American Crow
21. Black-capped Chickadee
22. Tree Swallow
23. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
24. Golden-crowned Kinglet
25. White-breasted Nuthatch
26. Brown Creeper
27. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
28. House Wren
29. American Robin
30. House Sparrow
31. Purple Finch
32. Chipping Sparrow
33. White-throated Sparrow
34. Song Sparrow
35. Red-winged Blackbird
36. Brown-headed Cowbird
37. Common Grackle
38. Yellow-rumped Warbler
39. Northern Cardinal

Other taxa:

1. thrush sp.

Happy birding!
yorickgarcia (J'orge 🐦)