Ballas Park and the Nazareth Quarry ~ October 28, 2024

I spent a good portion of the morning at Ballas Park near Wind Gap. I walked clockwise around the loop trail. A Belted Kingfisher flew by, headed towards the pond.

Belted Kingfisher

The western portion of the trail yielded Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, and Field, Chipping, and White-throated Sparrows among many Song Sparrows.

Along the eastern part of the trail, I came across a large group of birds working several trees loaded with berries. The group included an impressive 71 American Robins, 17 Cedar Waxwings, and 5 Purple Finches.

Cedar Waxwings

Purple Finch

Almost back at the parking lot, I saw two White-crowned Sparrows and 3 Savannah Sparrows.

White-crowned Sparrow

The one White-crowned Sparrow had unmarked lores and a slightly more orangeish bill, making it one of the "Gambel's" race.

An immature "Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow.

At the eastern corner of the pond, I saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and 2 Swamp Sparrows.

I left the park and stopped at the Nazareth Quarry on the way back home. There were 2 Snow Geese among around 2000 Canada Geese.

Snow Geese