feathered creatures

The Wilds Cumberland, Ohio–November 14,2009

jg350208 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:40:09 +0000

On November 14, 2009 our class visited The Wilds which is located in Muskingum County. We started at 9:10 am and ended around 1:30 pm. It was a beautiful day, slight breeze, sunny and around 20 degrees celcius. We started out by an spatacualr view of an adult Red-tailed HAwk perched in the top of a tree. You could see all of the distinguishing characteristics–slight barring on breast, red tail broken up with a dark band. we drove a little farther around the perimeter of the Wilds and were looking in a field and were able to see two Horned LArks foraging. I have never seen a Horned Lark in the wild so I was pretty excited. You could see the light yellow under the beak and the two black stripes which go into tufts on each side of their heads. The black breast band was also prominent. They were in short grazed grass, dispersed with small shrubs. We moved on to our first pond of study, we saw two Pied Billed Grebes in the middle of the pond–we could see their short stubby tails amd bills and their white primary wing tips. We also saw four Mallards as they flew off. One female and three males. We saw two ducks swimming in the pond with no distinguishing charactersitcs from afar so we gaot out the spotting scopes and we were able to see they were Black Ducks by their lighter color (sooty brown) heads against their dark bodies. We heard an American Crow calling and a Canada Goose flying overhead. THere were many Canada geese in all of the ponds throughout out trip. As we looked over into a field nearby we saw a Rough-leggged hawk in hovering actiona couple of time–that how we were able to identify it, only Accipiter that can hover like that. We moved on to the Jeffreys Point bird viewing area. We saw two Trumpeter Swans right off. They were large white birds-obviously swans and had compltely black bills. We saw two more Pied- Bille dGrebes, and saw an unidentifeid raptor species overhead–it later called and was a Red-Tailed Hawk. Dr. Miles also spotted Green Wing Teal , I was not able to see them. We then traveled to where there was a GReat Hored Owl nest, we were not able to see it but we did see another great viwe of a Red Tailed HAwk, a couple of American Crows, and Starlings. We moved to a new pond aroun around 11: 20, we saw lots of Canada Geese. We also identified lesser scaups by their half gray and white around the body. We then saw Bufflehead and were identified by their size, white head tuft and flattened back.The class was able to see a Gadwall and more Green Winged Teal although I was never able to get the spotting scope focused in time to see them.as well as with the Commom Merganser. I did see four more Trumpeter Swans paired off. We left that pond and traveled down SR 340 and stopped at juction on International road. AS we were pulling off another student ANd I saw a Bald Eagle, Large black bird , large wing span, white flash of head as it was flying acroodsthe raod and then it flew into the trees in a field where were not able to locate it again—what a sight. As we were looking at he Bald Eagle the class saw a Northern Harrier identified by its white marking although I never saw it . At this pull off we were right acroos from a large body of water and woodlands and agricultural fields. We also saw a American Tree Sparrow identified by its clear breast, small dark spot on chest, its small size, the white on the wings, and dark bill. We saw 3 Northern Mockingbirds and a Bluebird as well as a Downy Woodpecker as we were leaving the perimeter of The Wilds. The day would have been complete if actually could have entered the Wilds and gone to their special bird viewing sights although we had a wonderful experience aroung the perimeter in regards to the Horned Lark , BAld EAgle , great views of Red-tailed Hawks , and the Northern Harrier what an awesome birding experience!!!!!

Zaleski State Forest Point Count Survey–Spot Mapping October 24, 2009

jg350208 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:24 +0000

On October 24, 2009 our class visited Zaleski State Forest, off of Long Ridge Road. Several treatments have been completed for research on tree species composition, regeneration, and wildlife research. The treatments consisted of thinning, thin/ burn, burning, and control plots. The day was overcast with scattered showers, windy-BWS around 5, and it was around 10 degrees Celsius.

We started at 8:25 and the class disbursed into different plots. We began our point counts which consisted of sitting in the middle of the plot and recording every bird we saw or heard within a 50m -100m radius in 15 minutes. We also spot mapped the general vicinity the bird was in for our spot mapping excercise within a 50 meter radius. I was in the thin /burn plots for all three point counts. The habitat consisted of dense understory, rubus sp, smilax spp, and oaks, with some red and Sugar maples interspersed. The topography was hily and a stream ran throughou tthe area.

During my first point count beginning at at 8:39 am and ending at 8: 54 within a 50 meter radius I heard 4 American Crows. Between the 50 m to 100 m radius I saw a heard 2 White -Breasted Nuthatch, 2 American Crow,Northern Cardinal, common Yellow throat, and a Eastern Tufted Titmouse.

My second point count and spot mapping endeavor started at 9: 12 am and ended at 9: 27 am. The wind was picking up.within the 50 meter radius I heard one eastern Tufted Titmouse. Between the 50 m -100 m radius I heard r eastern Tufted Titmice. I suspect that the rain coming in had something to do with the lack of species heard or observed.

My spot mapping data collection started at 9: 36 am and ended at 9: 51 am. I saw two Turkey Vultures cricling overhead,and heard one Carolina Chickadee. Between the 50 m-100 m area I heard 3 Carolina Wrens and another Carolina CHickadee much farther away from the last one as shown.

This excercise was a great learning expereince for data collection for techniques, it would be quite ovewhelming on a day with high bird activity.

We left this area at 10:00 and went to the Zaleski Grouse Trail, it was still overcast and around 10 degrees celcius. the area consisted of a wetkland, swamp area with snags and shrubby vegetation. It began to sprinkle so I feel we might have seen more species if weather conditions were better. Overall we saw and heard:

Song Sparrow (heard)

Turkey Vulture Soaring

American Crow calling

Yellow Shafted Flicker calling throughout our visit

As we proceeded farther down the trail we saw a Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker. A Red Bellied Woodpecker could be heard in the distance. As we were standing and observing EAstern Tufted Titmouse was calling as well as a Carolina Wren.We could also here a young male White- Throated sparrow practicing his song for the coming mating season—we heard many versions of poor Sam peabody. As we were leaving at 1230 we heard an American Crow calling and the nasally yank yank yank from a White Breasted Nuthatch.

Francis Marion National Forest-Huntington Beach State Park October 10, 2009

jg350208 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:42 +0000

We began our day by revisiting Francis Marion National Forest. We began at 7:30 am, it was already around 28 degrees Celsius, very humid, and no wind. there was a slight fog.At the first start we saw a American Redstart and White Breasted Nuthatch. Then we proceeded to Forest Service Road 0815 , the fog was clearing and we revisited the Red Cockaded Woodpecker habitat, which had been through a prescribed burn, consisted mostly of Lodge Pole Pines. The first bird we saw there was a Pine Warbler. We were able to identify it by its white wing bars and yellow breast. Most of us were then able to see the Red Cockaded woodpecker we had come back to see. After that excitement was over we were able to hear an Eastern Phoebe calling —as it says its name in its call. We also saw a brown headed nuthatch and Kylie spotted a Wild Turkey and Carolina Wren. As we we were leaving we could see chimney swifts flying overhead with there rapid wing beats and cigar shaped bodies.

Huntington Beach State Park

We arrived at Huntington Beach State Park at around 947. It was still aroung 28 degrees celcius, clear skies, small breeze was blowing–we were pretty close to the ocean. We began by walking down the causeway which divivided freshwater and a saltwater marsh. There were a couple of Alligators sunning themselves when we first started looking for birds. AS soon as we wrer walking on the causeway we saw a Roseatte Spoonbill feeding. What an awesome bird. I observed it quite a while, as the name implies its bill is long and spoonlike and it uses it back and forth to catch an sort throught the water. It had pink wings and pinkish threoughout the body which was white. We also saw a liitle Blue Heron again walking on the mudflats. Then a Great Egret came in and landed. What a great picture opportunity, the great egret just stood near a pole for the longest time as if posing.We say a little bird flitting around and it was finally identified by Dr. Miles as a juvenile Cape May Warbler–had one white wing patch, yellow breast with black stripes through, the rump was dull yellow, and had slight chesnut cheeks, with yellow underneath. We also saw a Blue Jay flying overhead and then a Great Blue Heron came in and landed on the mubflats. As we obseved the mudflats we odserved a Willet foraging. It looked gray with bluish legs and heavier and stockier bill than the Greater Yellow Legs whis is what I first thought it was. Then I noticed a robust orange legged shorebird, weird black pattern and black breast pattern. I finally was able to identify it as a Ruddy Turnstone. A great Blue Heron flew in and landed on the mudflats and began its stank and strike feeding habits. As a I continued to look around way across the causeway the class spotted differnt species of sandpipers foraging. So we focused the spotting scopes and were able to see a least sandpiper foraging. It identifing characteristic were greenish yellowish legs,small bill that drooped to the tip, its small size, brown coloration, and a thin white line on top of the wings. We aslo were able to focus in on a black bellied plover in non breeding plumage ; larger ploverpale grayish brown speckled back, plover bill-narrow at base and consticted in middle ,white rump and tailwhite stripe above eye beginning white around bill. There were group of Double Crested Cormorants flying swimming,and drying off with their wings outspread on a wooden platform near the causeway. A lesser yellowlegs was spotted by a classmate I found its identifying characteristics to be smaller than the Greater Yellow Legswith a shorter slimmer black bill that is straight where the greater yellow legs is slightly upturned. The Lesser Yellowlegs was foraging on the mud flats also. A semi plamated sanpiper was also seen. It had astouter bill than the Leasst sanpiper and was grayer above. White breast and belly with broen mottling on the chest area. We also saw a Wilsons PLover wich had considerably less black its face and neck compared to the semi palmated plover. It was smaller than a killdeer and had a dark bill. Wow, the sanpipers were pretty challengin to tell apart. WE moved on to the visitors center and observed at the feeders where we saw a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker and a female Painted Indigo Bunting, what a different looking bird from the male. She was about the size of a chipping sparrow with a yellowish breast and olive green back. We also saw a Nothern Mocking bird and a Northern Cardinal in the bird baths.

We visited the marsh boardwalk at about 12: 00. the wind was about a 2 and it was warming uo–32 degrees celcius, clear to partly cloudy–still humid. The boradwalk went througha salt marsh where Susan saw a Pregrine Falcon. we aslo a Belted Kingfisher,Ospreya Great Egret and another Little Blue Heron.

We continued on to the beach at the park. I saw the ocean and went in the ocean for the first time, what an amazing expereince!!!! Then I had to leave with a friend due to her daughters injury—what an awesome trip to South Carolina. I recieved a list from a classmate on what was seen later on the beach away from all of the people. At the St. PArk Murls inlet on the beach/jetty the class saw a

Sand Erling on the beach gleaning, Osprey, brown Pelicans, a Llarge flock of Black Skimmers, Caspian Tern, in the marshy area— Clapper rail,Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Rusty Blackbird, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Yellow Crowned night Heron, White Ibis, another Belted Kingfisher, wood stork, another Osprey, Double Crested Cormorant, LAughing Gulls,Caspian Tern, Forsters Tern and A BAld EAgle—-and I missed it. Even though I had to leave early I feel I saw a great many bird species I would not have been able to see such as the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker——What a great experince.

Cape Romain Pier-Gerris Landing, South Carolina October 9, 2009

jg350208 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:55:27 +0000

We arrived at the Cape Romain Pier and it was still sunny and around 28 degrees celcius. We began at around 5:00 pm and left at 6:30 pm. At the end of the pier there were marsh grasses and mudflats. We began by seeing a Little Blue Heron, which had a deep marroon brown neck with dark legs and a bluish slate body. We saw more Laughing Gulls and a Caspian Tern. The Caspian Tern was larger than other terns and have a large red bill. The Caspian Tern had a clouded streaked forehead. We also saw more snowy egrets flying over and more brown pelicans. We saw another tern but not able to identify it. We also saw a Great Blue Heron and more Double Crested Cormorants and a Turkey Vulture flying overhead.On the mudflats we saw a Willet walking around on the mudflats. The willet was larger than the greater yellowlegs, and a grayer heaviish bill and bluish gray legs. We saw a Kill Deer walking around on the mud flata. We knew it was a Kill Deer because of the double black collar. We also saw dolphins swim by ——-Wow what a great expereince along with the Caspina Tern and the Willet.

Isles of the Palm, South Carolina October 9,2009

jg350208 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:28:46 +0000

At 1:45 pm we arrived at the Isles of Palms, South Carolina which is a public beach area. It was sunny and about 32 degrees Celcius. We observed birds along the shoreline ans their were quite a feww people there. We saw and osprey nesting platform on the way there. Along the beach there were a flock of Laughing Galls, there were at least two in non-breeding plumage. We I identfied the gulls by the Black Capped head, gray wings to black tips, the gulls in non breeding plumage had whitish gray head with a small smudge of black on their heads. We also saw two brown pelicans flying over the ocean and then had a confrontation in mid air. Later we saw six Double Crested Cormorants flying over head in a straght line , characteristic of the species, they were black birds, yellow gular pouch. We also saw fish crows and the common grackle. The brown Pelican action was great.

South Carolina-South Tibwin -October 9,2009

jg350208 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:24:14 +0000

After seeing the red cockaded woodpecker our class proceeded to South Tibwin within Francis Marion National Forest. South Tibwin is amanaged wetalnd complex. We began at 934 and by this time the day had warmed up and it was about 28 degrees celcius and very humid. Oh and did I mention the mosquitoes?? The entire class had a ball of mosquitoes following them even if they had sprayed loads of deet on!!!! We began hearing blue jays calling right away. We began walking down the trail and stopped at the beginning of a tidal marsh. The class was able to see a wood duck in non breeding plumage and heard a pileated woodpecker. We stayed for a while but it must been to hot for the woodland birds even so we proceeded to the larger wetland and marsh. The class was not being quiet as the mosquitoes we munching away on us but after we all settled down and began observing we saw a Louisiana waterthrush moving aroung the vegeatation in the water. We indentified the by the white eyebrow stripe and white throat patch size, shape. It was staying close to the wooded edge of the marsh in the grasses. Then above we saw a large sea bird flying in—what a beautiful sight , worth all the mosquitoes, a wood stork flew into to the wetland area. WE identified it by its large size about 5 in a half feet windspread, white except its head and very conspicous black wings and tail , and it’s lond decurced bill. A juvenile red shouldered hawk flew overhead after the class became silent again and we were able to identify it because it e=was obviously a bird of prey and had traslucent crescent shaped marking next to its wing tips. Another bird of prey ,smaller a t first Dr. Miles thought it was a merlin as well as the rest of the class but as we explored further and talked to the staff at the visitor center we discorvered it was actually a Mississippi kite. I had never seen a bird quite shaped like that before but flew over so quick it was hard to catch all of the didtinguishing characteristics. We continued viewing the wetalnd and saw a female indigo bunting foraging in the marsh grasses, what a different looking bird compared to the male blue color–the female was a small brown finch size bird, pale breast, no conspicous stripes. Aswe were standing and observing two osprey flew overhead within minutes of each other-They had large wing spans and were black and white undeneath with a gull like crook in the wind. Another woodstrok flew in and landed on the mudflats. We saw a platform across the marsh. We identified 6 snowy egrets around the platform and they were identifed by their white body, black bill and yellow toes. We also noticed a larger bird perched on the platform which we were finally able to identify as an immature Tri Colored heron. It was reddich brown down the head and neck,down back, had a white throat and breast.We saw a Great Egret standing in water and was identified by its size larger than snowy and had a yellow bill and black toes–opposite of snowy egret. Dr. Miles thought he saw a immature bald eagle flying over, he saw a flacsh of white under wings, he also saw a Palm Warbler feeding and pumping its tail–characteristic of warbler. We also spottted a Carolina Chickadee identified by its small size and black cap, grayish body. Tree Swallows and Rough Winged Swallows flying overhead. They can be diffirientiated by the rough winged swallows brown head and throat where the tree swallow has a white throat and chest. Dr. Miles heard a white -Eyed Vireo and a Northern Mockingbird. We saw Chimney Swifts flying overhead with their rapid flapping flight and small cigar shaped bodies. WE also saw a Bekted Kingfisher preched by the water but were not able to distiguish what color the band on its chest was so we could tell it was a male or female. A Northern Harrier flew over and it was identified by its size and white rump. AS we were leaving we saw around 25 white Ibisies feeding in the water. We identified these by their long bills and white color. An American Crow called and a Red Tailed Hawk called as we were leaving. We also flushed a brown thrasher in the woods as we were walking back. What a great expereince as a class we saw so mnay ird speceis that some of us had never seen before– It made the mosquitoes worth it.

South Carolina -Oct. 9, 2009

jg350208 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:41:50 +0000

What a beautiful morning!! We began viewing birds at 825 in Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina. Within the forest we were near Forest Service Road 211, the weather was clear with no wind and the temperature was about 12 degree celcius. Our class began by investigating a Fire Managment area. This area was managed by prescribed burns to try to restore this area to it’s natural state which invloved fire in its regular ecological cycle. Due to fire supression movements in earlier years many areas of forest have not expereinced thier natural succession and reproduction cycles affecting the flora and fauna. This spot is known for sightings of the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker–the class was psyched!! The habitat consisted primarily of Long Leaf Pine. This woodpeccker is endangered because of habitat lost due to fire suppression efforts. As we explored the area we could see remants of the prescribed burn and Red Cockaded woodpecker activity such as small holes drilled around there cavities to allow for sap flow down the tree for protection against predators and the class also was able to see attempts to protect these woodpeckers’ cavities from other species by placing metal circles maintaining the cavity holes. The class finally quieted down and we were able to hear a white breasted nuthatch, a brown nuthatch and noticed that they were in the tops of trees feeding–confirmed by Dr. Miles. As we scanned the area we explored a more open pine area and I saw a woodpecker species flying to a tree –although I was not able to see any distinguishing characteristics such as a zebra back, black cap on head or white cheek to which is used to identify the Red- Cockaded Woodpecker. Dr. Mile and Lisa were able to see these characteristic on another woodpecker that flew onto a nearby tree. What a great sight in the morning. We also heard and ovenbird, carolina wren, northern flicker, and two red shouldered hawks calling. Lisa was able to identify a Blue Winged Warbler which landed in a tree for ashort period by its black line through the eye, its yellow color and two white wing bars. Dr. Miles also saw a pine warbler identified by it yellow breast, olive back, white wing bars, dimly streaked breast. We ended at 900. What an eventful forty-five minutes, it was great to know that the red cockaded woodpecker was nesting and doing well in at least one area, even though I wasn’t able to positively see one.

October 3, 2009—Mist Nets

jg350208 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:00:06 +0000

We began our lab at The Ridges in Athens County Ohio at 7:30 am. Historically The Ridges was a self sustained psychiatric unit which is now owned by Ohio University and is used for classroms and offices. Remnants of farming and orchards can still be observed. The Ridges is located off of SR 682 across from the Hocking River. The day was sunny, about 10 degrees celsius with a light wind. Kelly Williams -Segue joined our class to demonstrate capture techniques and data collection as well as Dr. Miles. We began by setting up mist nets with Kelly. In total we set up five nets in shrubby, early to mid- successional forest habitat. There were remnant apple tees from the old orchard scattered throughout.

All mist nets were set up by 9:05 am. one or two people would check nets about every 15 minutes. The rest of class stayed fairly quiet and investigated other areas.

We observed and heard a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the canopy of a tree foraging around. Tim saw them first and Dr. Miles confirmed the species. The habitat where we saw the Cedar Waxwings was still early to mid successional with virburnum sp., multiflora rose, rubus sp. and honeysuckle. The species was confirmed by sound and sight, the birds were larger than house sparrows and you could see a slight tinge of red on wing tips. Yellow tips making a band of yellow on the retrices . The behavior, the flocking in the orchards and near open woodlands was also characteristic on the species as well as their song which was a high zeee.

We also observed four or more American Robins calling and fling from one tree to another–they can be identified by their dark body and reddish orange breast, we were not able to make a determination on male and female with female having a brown head due to the distance they were away from us.

A turkey vulture was seen overhead soaring , having a longer tail two toned wings in a dihedral position.

The class also heard a nuthatch but was unable to see the bird and a Red- Bellied Woodpecker in a tree drilling and gathering insects and as it flew we heard the characteristic kwrr krww and chaw sounds. We were able to see the zebra back, some red, and white rump. We were unable to determine if it was a male or female due to the small amount of red we saw. Size also clued us in that it was not a downy. Kelly confirmed the species’s id.

WE heard American Crows cawing in the trees above as well as a Carolina Wren sing above.

We also saw a bird in the brush and shrubby habitat and identified it as a Swainson’s thrush due to its size a little bigger than a sparrow and the spotting on brush with a gray-brown body and buffy eye ring. Dr. Miles confirmed identification

We also saw more Cedar Waxwings and a Blue Jay and identified it by the blue color,white wing bars and size—larger than a robin size bird, but in Corvid family.

Susan sighted a warbler and with further investigation we saw the black v shape by the eye and black stripes on the side of the yellow breasted bird. Identification was confirmed by Kelly. An Eastern Towhee was seen and heard throughout the lab by students –robin sized bird with white on it sides, dark body and orangish red breast and distance call.

Tim spotted Chimney Swifts flying overhead identified by their cigar shaped bodies, and constant wing flapping, high aspect ratio wings. We and heard a song sparrow which Dr. Mile confirmed and 2 Northern Cardinals perched in trees. Dr. Miles heard an Eastern Bluebird.

A warbler size bird was seen flitting around in a bush probably feeding.It had no wing bars, no eye ring and an olive colored body with some white near rump which the class identified as a common yellowthroat.

By 10:55 am we were getting ready to take the nets in –a bird had not been caught in a net all day and there was hardly any bird activity a Northern Cardinal flew into the net.

The net was in a location where the was shrubby location all around. Kelly removed the bird from the net and took an array of measurements and banded it. She determined it was a young male due to the majority og red in the beak and feathers and the new feathers coming in. Tim recorded the data and the class learned how to properly hold a bird so as not to injure it or yourself. Several students were able to practice before we let the bird go.

What a great experience!!!!!

Julie

Orno Lab Sept.18,2009

jg350208 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:17:38 +0000

During Ornithology class on September 18, 2009 we vistited the Hocking River mudflats across from the Ridges on State Route 682 in Athens County, Ohio. What a beautiful day; it was sunny with a slight breeze and around 28 degrees celcius. We observed and heard 7 Kill Deer foraging all along the edge of the Hocking River. We also observed 10 or more Canada Geese with 3 domestic white geese within the flock. They were swimming,preening and splashing around the river also obviously enjoying the weather!! One of domestic white geese showed agressive stance towards a pair of Canada Geese, they returned the gesture and then everybody found there space and went back to preening as if to show that everything was okay again. Susan Lyons observed two Turkey Vultures overhead soaring and pointed them out to the rest of class. Kyle spotted a Mourning Dove flying overhead. The highlight of the day was when Bernadette and Susan saw a shorebird species which the class identified as a Spotted Sandpiper and this was confirmed by Dr. Miles. Thge Spotted Sandpiper was walking along shore and already in it’s winter plumage phase. The identifying characteristics were the white eye ring, yellowish legs and a white patch right before the wing. As a class we proceeded to Zaleaski State Forest in Vinton County, Ohio to a wetland area with quite a few snags throughout the area in hopes of seeing woodpecker species. After we observed the wetland area we walked on the “Grouse Trail” which is adjacent th the wetland and is predominately made up of wetland trees and shrubs. We obseved a flycatcher species which we identified as an Eastern Phoebe using the flattened bill and pumping action of the tail as distinguishing characteristics. We also heard an Eastern Pee Wee and White Eyed Vireo which song was confirmed by Dr. Miles. We also heard 4 or more American Goldfinches calling,one Red-Bellied Woodpecker, and observed a Great Blue Heron sitting in a snag. Overall we saw quite a few spieces given that it was such a warm day and the middle of the afternoon. Hope to see many more species by the end of class.

Julie Gillem

Lab Sept 12, 2009

jg350208 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:41:33 +0000

Greetings,

Our Ornithology lab on Spetember 12, 2009 was quite enjoyable. We travelled to Lake Hope near the Iron Furnaces in Vinton county, Ohio. It was sunny and about 17 degrees celcius. WE strated observing birds at 0750 and ended at 1015. Throughout this time I heard at least three American Crows calling,one Carolina Chickadee, saw two female goldfinches, and heard two White Breasted Nuthatches calling.

As confirmed by Dr. Miles I also heard a White Eyed Vireo calling, saw a a Gray Catbird, and one Rose Breasted Grosebeak in non breeding plumage and was identified as a feamle using our field guides–the white srtipes on her head and her size helped identify her—-we could not see any rose color on her breast.

We began to walk down farther on the trail and saw:

1-downy woodpecker– gleaning

3-ruby throated hummingbirds–flying overhead Susan and I spotted them

1-northern flicker calling

1-great blue heron perched on a snag at the edge of the wetland area

wood warblers but were not able to identify species

tufted titmouse-calling

Belted Kingfisher-Chattering by the water–pointed out by Dr. Miles

Hooded Warbler-saw in top of trees

Yellow Warbler -singing–confirmed by Dr. Miles

At the end of our visit the class observed a Turkey Vulture soaring overhead , Carolina Wren perched in a tree on the edge of the forest as we were leaving.

Julie Gillem