May Bird Walk - Northern Road

A smallish group of birders, perhaps limited by forecasts of rain that never developed, enjoyed a walk on what proved to be a beautiful spring day. The birds didn't disappoint either, providing something to admire at all points along Northern Road. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were everywhere we looked and Yellow Warblers sang from all directions.

After completing our enjoyment of Northern Road, we moved to the gate area of Dike Road. This is a great spot to find Bobolinks and Clay-colored Sparrows. The sparrows were there though only heard from a distance. The Bobolinks were more cooperative, singing and displaying for all to see. An unexpected treat was a close look at a singing Willow Flycatcher!

All in all, this was a May walk to remember! A full list of sightings is below.

If you couldn't be with us for this walk, we hope you will be able to join us for an upcoming field trip.

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Horicon Marsh SWA - Northern Road & Dike Road
May 16, 2015 8:50 AM - 12:20 PM

Conditions:
64 degrees, partly cloudy with a light south wind. Warmed up to 75 when the sun came out, but with the humidity it seemed warmer. Walk Northern Road from north edge of woods to Rock River and back (0.8 mile total) and view the Bobolink Field at the turnaround on Dike Road. 3 E. chipmunks (one high in elm tree eating elm seeds). Red admiral butterfly. A couple of Eastern gray treefrogs singing.


58 species were seen (including 13 species of warblers)


Canada Goose 7
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Wild Turkey 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sora 1
Sandhill Crane 2
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 2
Least Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 4 One was carrying a long piece of nesting material.
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 7 Several chases across the road and through the woods.
European Starling 1
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
American Redstart 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 9
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Canada Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 7 Several singing males, one first year male flew in a circle around us, singing and chipping as he flew. One was in an elm tree, eating elm seeds.
Indigo Bunting 2
Bobolink 3
Red-winged Blackbird 13
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
American Goldfinch 3


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