Merlins Are the Bird of the Day ~ October 3, 2025

A crew was working at the outflow end of the Tatamy Exit retention pond, which was almost dried up, so no shorebirds were there.

The Hollo Road pond produced the continuing 10 Green-winged Teal and a Lesser Yellowlegs.

As I walked up to the Newburg Road retention pond, 6 Killdeer were noisily flying around. I realized why when I saw a Merlin zipping around after them. It was unsuccessful, but I was able to get some photos of it while it tried.

Merlin

Across the street from the pond were 3 Song Sparrows and a Savannah Sparrow.

Savannah Sparrow

One Great Blue Heron was in Green Pond while another Great Blue and one Great Egret were in the Farmersville Road pond.

A Great Egret with a minnow.

The treeline along the paved path held 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 2 Northern Flickers, 2 Palm Warblers, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and 12 Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers

Palm Warbler

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

A Merlin also flew in and landed in the top of one of the trees.

Merlin

The Green Pond Road pond continued to hold the Solitary Sandpiper.

Solitary Sandpiper

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A Late Day Pond Run ~ October 1, 2025

After installing a door at my daughter's house, I hit a bunch of ponds on the way back home. The Silver Crest Road pond held a Great Blue Heron and a Belted Kingfisher among around 200 Canada Geese.

At the Regency ponds, two Wood Ducks and a Great Blue Heron were there among 29 Mallards.

Wood Duck

The Hollo Road pond produced 10 Green-winged Teal and 2 Killdeer.

The Tatamy Exit retention pond held 16 Killdeer, 3 Least Sandpipers, a soltary Solitary Sandpiper, and an American Kestrel on the wire by the exit.

Solitary Sandpiper

The Newburg Road retention pond held 22 Killdeer among around 350 Canada Geese. A Red-tailed Hawk was on one of the powerline towers. Across the street from the pond were 4 Song Sparrows, 2 Savannah Sparrows, and a Lincoln's Sparrow.

The Great Egret count increased to four around the edge of Green Pond along with a Great Blue Heron and a Belted Kingfisher.

Great Egret

The Farmersville Road pond held 69 Mallards plus a Spotted Sandpiper and an Eastern Phoebe around its edge.

Spotted Sandpiper

The Green Pond Road pond held the continuing Solitary Sandpiper.

Solitary Sandpiper

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