051920 Female Purple Martin
Carolina Chickadee
Male Orchard Oriole
052020 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Female Purple Martin
Gathering Nesting Material
052020
This was a 42 species day, which is good, since spring migration is stating to wind down to some degree. I say this because I believe that there is going to be a little migration extension, as songbird migrants don't have to be in that much of a hurry with warmer weather staying around a little longer, unless they breed in the extreme north.
The Green Herons are still on Heron Cove, which is a little overgrown, allowing the birds more privacy. One was heard, but it's better that we not get too close as they need to retain their wild bird status. Writer was getting into their DNA, and they were comfortable with my presence last year, which is not something that is needed to continue. I nonchalantly look at the area without going on the bank. With cover, when the young are stretching their wings and foraging, I might watch them a little more closely.
There are breeding birds at The Cove, which includes American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, European Starling, Great-tailed Grackle, Purple Martin, Warbling Vireo, and Brown Thrasher. This is good news, as the area contains too many Bradford pear trees, which are only good for cover. Birds are not able to forage within them, since they don't have any attraction for native insects.
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are below the berm, as are plenty of Cliff Swallows searching for insects to fuel their youngsters. Plenty of Cedar Waxwings are hanging off all available mulberry trees and bushes, as are European Starlings, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, American Starlings, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and the occasional Western Flycatchers. The Bell's Vireo is questionable as to whether or not it is staying long term this year. It may have left the area.
Carolina Chickadees, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow Warblers, Northern Mockingbird, Least Flycatcher, and reclusive Gray Catbird are found within the deciduous trees across from Lakehurst Drive area.
An interesting assortment of aviary delights have been frequenting the Bald Cypress Row vicinity, including at least one Great Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbirds, Least Flycatcher, Yellow Warblers, Carolina Wren, and a Bright Eastern Bell's Vireo was photographed for the short time that it was present. Empidonax flycatchers also tend to favor the habitat as well.
Shorebird Jetty usually bears watching for the swallows, songbirds, and shorebirds that tend to stop over for purposes of foraging and rest all year long.
Other fruitful magnets for migrants include both north and south of Memorial jetty area, as mulberries were strategically planted by birds, many of which have been avidly fruiting this year. The large oak north of the restrooms hosts many species due to the trees insect attraction.
Many other semi-resident and passage migrants enjoy the small cottonwood/deciduous grove across from Kicker, which is also providing habitat for a Bell's Vireo couple. If you're lucky, you might see at least one of them.
The outskirts of the northeast jetty is home to more mulberries and good marsh grass, where sparrows tend to congregate during winter and spring. The Kicker (Stillwater Designs) property is well-kept all year but the native trees also attract many birds. If you'd like to bird it, gain permission first.
Boomer Lake Proper hosts many ducks, including such less often seen species like scoters, Great White-fronted Geese, and Common Yellow-eye during the winter. The colder it is, the better are the spoils.
There are several other less visited areas on Boomer Lake that have excellent habitat for other less often seen birds like Purple Finch, Swainson's Thrush, Pine Siskin, Wilson's Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow and other less often seen species. Search the area on your own and see what you can find. We still find birds that have never been seen there before.
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