Although the morning started out a little chilly at the Point, it didn’t take very long for the air to warm and the birds to start singing and being active. Shortly after arriving and completing our first bird survey, a season’s first, beautiful white Great Egret flew over the Bay and landed within twenty five meters of us! It quickly began to forage along shore looking for fish and then flew further down the shoreline, at which point I was able to photograph this elegant bird. Additionally, we found ten species of warbler, including our season’s first Chestnut-sided and large numbers of Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Palm. In fewer numbers but just as wonderful, we found Cape May, Blackpoll, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Ovenbird warblers.
Throughout the entire Point, we found many regular, abundant species including House Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Chimney Swifts, and Gray Catbirds. Although less abundant, we also observed a few rather conspicuous Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos, and Swamp Sparrows. Around the same area that we were walking two days earlier, we observed and heard a melodious Wood Thrush near the center of the Point within dense vegetation. We also observed large numbers of Tree, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows foraging for flying insects off shore and near the center of the Point. All together, we recorded 40 species.
Observers: Erin Gnass, Aaron Groves, and Ashley Fehrenbach
Photographs by me:
