As quiet as Estabrook Park was yesterday, it seemed even quieter this morning. The critters appeared to be taking the holiday off, as well, and I didn’t take a picture until I stopped by the pond on my way home from the north end.
When I first saw this little cutie foraging in the lawn with the juncos near the pond, I thought it was one of the tree sparrows I’ve been seeing lately. Once I got the pictures home, however, I could see that it’s an immature white-crowned sparrow, which we haven’t seen since October.
On the path from the pond down to the river, a bunch of robins were raiding berries from a tree, which was probably buckthorn, unfortunately. The sun had cleared the cloud bank to the east by then, which lit up the scene nicely.
Mixed in with the robins was this young European starling, still in its spots.
I did see a great blue heron and a great horned owl, but they weren’t offering particularly good pictures today, and I thought the three above were all I was going to be able to show you. Then, just as I was crossing the Oak Leaf Trail on my way out of the park, look who I glimpsed soaking up some sun down in the ditch between the trail and Wilson Drive. I certainly have seen Cooper’s hawks near the ground before, when they are hunting or playing, but I’ve have not yet found one perched so low just basking. If you appreciate the fine details, this one is worth clicking on so you can zoom in.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 