Melchor Tract Park, and Newburg and Hollo Road Ponds ~ October 10, 2026

I birded the Melchor Tract Park first thing in the morning. Marilyn Hessinger was also there when I arrived, so we birded the site together. In the first section, we found Swamp and Song Sparrows, Gray Catbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, a few Palm Warblers, and a couple Lincoln's Sparrows.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Farther along, several Savannah Sparrows and an American Kestrel were present. Canada Geese, Turkey Vultures, and about 20 Blue Jays flew by. Birds seen along the eastern treeline area included a few Eastern Bluebirds, 6 Cedar Waxwings, 3 White-throated and 3 Field Sparrows, and several Yellow-rumped Warblers. The western side of the entrance area held a Black Vulture, 2 Northern Flickers, and a Pileated Woodpecker.

Pileated Woodpecker

I left there and drove up to the Newburg Road retention pond, which held a Pectoral Sandpiper and several Killdeer.

Pectoral Sandpiper

A Palm Warbler was in the small, wooded area, and several Savannah Sparrows were around the pond's weedy edges while a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew by.

Palm Warbler

Savannah Sparrow

Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Across the street, the corner of the weedy field produced a Common Yellowthroat, a Swamp Sparrow, and more Savannah Sparrows.

Common Yellowthroat

Swamp Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Over by the cattails area along Koch Toyota, I was surprised to see a Nashville Warbler.

Nashville Warbler

My last stop was the Hollo Road pond, which only held 3 Mallards and 2 Killdeer, but the nearby Shoeneck Creek area held 2 Blackpoll Warblers.

Two Blackpoll Warblers (center left and center right).

Blackpoll Warblers

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