By Susan Schneider –
February’s Beginning Birding Walk (BBW) was like January’s in that about 30 participants braved winter weather and enjoyed about 30 bird species. But there were some notable differences, too. Waterfowl were in, after January’s cold spell had iced up many local lakes. (Some of the hatchery’s ponds are always kept open.) We spotted 14 species of ducks, geese, etc., including all 3 swan species, one Northern Shoveler and one Coot, and multiples of Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, and Gadwall. Plenty of scopes were available for easy viewing – for comparing Redheads and Canvasbacks, for example. Other highlights included Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Carolina Wren, Cedar Waxwings, American Goldfinch, and a large flock of around 50 beautiful, rufous-capped American Tree Sparrows, a species only here in the winter.
At this point in the BBW series, it’s a pleasure to have people who are returning, month after month, along with new participants. Meanwhile, some of those new folks are out for their first field trip ever, just what we were hoping for.
What will March bring to the Wolf Lake hatchery? Come and see!
Good birding,
Susan
ASK Board member