Regency Boulevard and Green Pond ~ October 22, 2022

Before I left the house, both a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Golden-crowned Kinglet came to drink and bathe at my little waterfall.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

At the Regency Boulevard area, the woods edge held a Blue-headed Vireo, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, nine Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a good number of sparrows that included Field, White-crowned, and Swamp mixed in with White-throated and Song Sparrows.

Blue-headed Vireo

Field Sparrow

At least three Savannah Sparrows continued to be found in and around the edge of the soybean field. While there, a flock of about 80 Common Grackles flew by.

The list of birds compiled in the north pond included the continuing 2 Northern Shovelers, 2 American Coots, and Pied-billed Grebe, plus 18 Tree Swallows, a Green-winged Teal, 3 Killdeer, a Great Blue Heron, and a "Blue" Goose (the dark morph of the Snow Goose) in among the numbers of Canada Geese.

Northern Shoveler

American Coot

Adult "Blue" Goose, the dark morph of a Snow Goose

The south pond held a young Ruddy Duck.

Ruddy Duck

I arrived at Green Pond and spotted a Great Blue Heron, 3 Cedar Waxwings, 7 Red-winged Blackbirds, and sparrows that included a White-crowned, a Swamp, and 3 Savannahs.

Savannah Sparrow

While standing by the little pond, I saw a soaring Common Raven circling high overhead and nine Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew by. The Common Raven became my 175th species seen at Green Pond.

Common Raven

Lesser Black-backed Gulls

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Regency Boulevard, Green Pond, and Newburg Road ~ October 21, 2022

At the woods edge by the Regency Boulevard retention ponds, I found Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Purple Finch, and sparrows that included Chipping, Field, Swamp, and Dark-eyed Junco among the many White-throated and Song Sparrows. Most of the warbler species have headed south, but a group of eleven Yellow-rumped Warblers, which migrate later than most, were present. At least nine Savannah Sparrows were seen at the field edge.

Savannah Sparrow

A Green-winged Teal and two Killdeer were in the north pond along with the continuing two Northern Shovelers, two American Coots, the Pied-billed Grebe, and the Hooded Merganser.

Over at Green Pond, I checked the little pond next to the house by the intersection and found Eastern Phoebe, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, Lincoln's Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a very late Magnolia Warbler.

Cedar Waxwing

Lincoln's Sparrow

Magnolia Warbler

My last stop was at the Newburg Road pond where I found two Bald Eagles perched on one of the power towers.

Sub-adult Bald Eagle (top) and adult below

Bald Eagle

The walking path on the east side of the pond produced Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warbler, and sparrows that included White-crowned, Swamp, Savannah, and Lincoln's.

Swamp Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

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Backyard Pine Siskin and the Regency Ponds ~ October 20, 2022

While getting ready to head for the Regency ponds, I looked out the window and spotted a Pine Siskin on one of the feeders. Also seen in the yard were a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and three Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Pine Siskin

While checking the woods edge, a Merlin flew out and circled back over the woodlot. Birds noted there were Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, several Yellow-rumped Warblers, Field, Swamp, and Lincoln's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and an Eastern Towhee, but a Cooper's Hawk made a pass and shut down the activity.

Eastern Towhee

Several Savannah Sparrows were perched at the field edge while a Black Vulture circled fairly high overhead.

Black Vulture

The north pond held three Killdeer, a Great Blue Heron, the Pied-billed Grebe, two Northern Shovelers, and two American Coots.

American Coots

A quick stop at Green Pond on the way home produced a Yellow-rumped Warbler, eight American Goldfinches, and a sub-adult Bald Eagle that soared in the distance.

Sub-adult Bald Eagle

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Regency and Newburg Ponds Keep Producing ~ October 16, 2022

This morning's stop at the Regency Boulevard retention ponds continued to produce some nice birds. The woods edge held Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Purple Finch, White-crowned, Lincoln's, and Swamp Sparrow, a good number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, plus a Hairy Woodpecker.

Female Purple Finch

Male Purple Finch

White-crowned Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Hairy Woodpecker

At least five Savannah Sparrows continued at the field edge at the dead end area of Steuben Road.

Over at the north pond, the two Northern Shovelers, American Coot, Hooded Merganser, and Pied-billed Grebe continued while a Great Blue Heron fed along the shore.

Northern Shovelers

American Coot

I also found some interesting birds at the Newburg Road retention pond. The walking path east of the pond produced two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, two Eastern Phoebes, two Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Purple Finch, several Palm Warblers, and a fly-over Red-shouldered Hawk.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Purple Finch

Palm Warbler

Red-shouldered Hawk

A Great Blue Heron was in the pond and eight Killdeer, a Field Sparrow, a White-crowned Sparrow, and at least eighteen Savannah Sparrows were in the adjacent fields.

White-crowned Sparrow

Three Savannah Sparrows

Here's a photo of eight Savannah Sparrows and a Field Sparrow in just one section of brush. Can you find all nine birds?

Eight Savannah Sparrows and a Field Sparrow (near center)

The Northern Harrier was present once again hunting the surrounding field area.

Northern Harrier

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