Friday Bird Walk at Patterson Park - Great Backyard Bird Count

Where was everybody?  Did the 18 degree temperature keep you at home?  It was a crisp morning at the park, almost every dog was sporting a fashionable winter coat.  The birds were hidden too - so every one that I saw was very special.   Enjoy some photos.

No birds here, but this Sweet Gum is an important winter food source for birds.
 

On my way to Boat Lake.

Merlin!  Same tree we saw him in last time.  Head tucked in for warmth.

Frozen at the lake.

The ice was up to the boardwalk, I could hear it breaking as I passed over.

The male Red-winged Blackbirds were calling frequently - no females were around.  I saw a flock of about 50 pass over earlier, and then another dozen at the lake.

This is where you wish I had a better camera - two Carolina Wrens were flitting about the boardwalk.  I was wishing I had brought some sunflower hearts with me.

A cold and puffed up robin did not move as I walked by.

One of four goldfinch.

A small pocket of open water held Mallards and Canada Geese.  Some Ring-billed Gulls were skating nearby.

 

The next bird walk at Patterson Park will be Sat., February 27, I hope it will be warmer. 

Bird list in no particular order:

House Sparrow - 2
Mourning Dove - 2
Red-winged Blackbirds - 62
Merlin - 1
Robin - 3
American Goldfinch - 4
Ring-billed Gulls - 60
Mallard - 15
Canada Geese - 7
Downy Woodpecker - 1
American Crow - 2
Carolina Wren - 2