yesterday we were determined to get a walk in over at Harrison Bay, and despite some ominous skies we did manage to stay dry. The campground was completely full so didn't expect to see much there. Did notice the Hairy Woodpecker was still working on the nesting hole, but since it is located right at the edge of the campground, didn't want to draw attention to him by taking a photo.
this male Downy Woodpecker was back in basically the same location we'd seen him last time too.
a few American Robins.....
and White-crowned Sparrow. Spotted something 'different' which turned out to just be...
a European Starling....a bit different to just see one. Probably a mate is nesting nearby as these guys are also cavity nesters like the woodpeckers, flickers and tree swallows.
The most notable species were...
Yellow-rump Warblers like this guy. There were quite a few of them but they just kept moving ahead of us so difficult to get a decent photo.
all the Canada Geese nesting on pilings were crouched down really low as there was increased pleasure boat traffic on the river, and the ones normally hanging out on the beach were taking refuge in the adjacent farm field.
Today's walk was just to the park....but as we started out I thought I heard and exciting call....a Sandhill Crane.....listened for a bit and heard it again...
that is the best I could do for a photo. It isn't the first time I've heard Sandhill's here but what was unusual was that this bird was all by itself. Normally Sandhill's, at least during migration, are in huge skeins and the rest of the time they are always in at least pairs.
there were a number of Ruby-crowned Kinglet today.....
and the usual Song Sparrows. What wasn't usual and almost as exciting as the crane, was a Western Meadowlark....spotted it down in the grass by the first bay as we were returning home....couldn't even manage a bad photo of it.
so here is one from my files....this one is doing it's call which is so welcome in spring time. The one today was completely silent. Again, not the first time we've seen them here, in fact we saw that big flock of them over at Harrison Bay a few weeks ago. They do venture up here to the estuary but not every year.
One last thing of note...
I've been noticing this robin for the last couple of weeks. It is memorable due to the white markings on the head which are a bit more than normal, and the buff coloured feather by the wing. I think it is a female as it is always with a male and in the same general spot so I imagine they are going to nest close by.
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