Friday Walk at Patterson Park

Despite the drizzles, we encountered lots of newly arrived migrants.  Beginning from the fountain, we spotted Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Warbler, Juncos, and many Brown Creepers.  I'm always glad to see creepers north of the city - that means they have dodged the glass and buildings on their way to their breeding grounds.  Numerous Brown Thrashers were seen throughout the park.

Can you see the female Eastern Towhee?  She was searching for a meal in the leaves and mulch
near the community gardens.   Hint - she's on the board.

What a nice welcome at the Boat Lake - three Black-crowned Night Herons!

Notice the difference between the bills in the male and female Mallards.  Did you know only the females "quack"?

A Double-crested Cormorant glided quite close to us.

Yes, it's a terrible picture - but you can see the ruby on the Ruby-crowned Kinglet!

Merlin on the left - Kestrel on the right.  Thank you!

Red Maples flowering

It was a fun morning at the park.  The next walk is Saturday, April 24th, led by Patterson Park Audubon staff.

Species list: 29 species

Mallard  30
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Black-crowned Night-Heron  3
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Mourning Dove  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Northern Flicker  2
American Kestrel  1
Merlin  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  3
Brown Creeper  5
Carolina Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  35
Brown Thrasher  10
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  10
Palm Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  1
Eastern Towhee  3
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  6
Red-winged Blackbird  9
House Sparrow  1