Our re-launch of the Jefferson / Dodge County Birdwalks took place on a drizzly, misty day that kept the numbers of walkers low. Those of us who were there had a lot of fun despite the weather. Often, a slightly wet day will provide superior birding opportunities. On this day we were able to see a goodly number of resident birds plus one surprise. Early on we spotted two Mergansers on the lake. Mergansers aren't expected this time of year. We had difficulties deciding what species of Merganser we were looking at. There were no easy to identify males. They were some distance off with poor viewing conditions at the lake. It took a few days (!!) of back and forth before it was determined we had Hooded Mergansers. (That's what held up the posting of this page.) Such things happen when you're birding and actually add to the fun. There's a complete list of bird species seen below.
If you couldn't be with us for this walk, we hope you'll join us for our July walk. Details will be available closer to the walk time.
Bird list for the June Walk:
Species Count Comments
Canada Goose 60 One by one, the geese emerged from the cattails at the south end of the lake. There were a lot of nearly full-grown young among them.
Wood Duck 16 One hen with 5 small ducklings.
Blue-winged Teal 2
Mallard 11 Hen with 10 small ducklings.
Hooded Merganser 2 We debated this sighting for days finally resorting to expert help with using the two very poor documentary photos; the merganser was a long way out.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Diving.
Mourning Dove 1
Black-necked Stilt 1 Tall black and white shorebird with long thin bill and long, pinkish legs. Took off just after we spotted it and flew out of sight.
Killdeer 2
Black Tern 10 Likely more. They were hard to count as many trees obscured part of our view(s) of the lake.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5 A family, with at least 2-3 fledglings begging quietly, the group on the move.
Purple Martin 6 At martin house.
swallow sp. 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
House Wren 1
Marsh Wren 1
Gray Catbird 1
American Robin 6
Eastern Bluebird 1 At the park entrance.
House Sparrow 1
American Goldfinch 2
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 10 Or more.
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
34 Species seen.
June Bird Walk - Dorothy Carnes Park