The weather was as nice this morning in Estabrook Park as forecast, and yesterday’s sun had dried out the river trail mud quite a bit, so it was a perfect time for our weekly wildlife walk. There were thirteen of us all together, and we saw 28 bird species, including a first-of-the-year northern flicker.
We did see this red-breasted merganser later, but my best picture opportunity came on my walk to the beer garden while the sun was low enough in the sky to leave it in shadows.
Our first stop was the pond, were we saw the young white-crowned sparrow, who did its best to avoid pictures, and several white-throated sparrows, who have started singing, and at least one of whom were kinder to my camera.
Our next stop was the river, where we saw all three mergansers, goldeneyes, mallards, and geese, but I was most excited about seeing my first Cooper’s hawk of the month.
Folks eventually had to get on with their day, but I hadn’t taken many pictures yet, and my schedule was clear, so I went back to the river, where I found this song sparrow singing its heart out.
I stopped by the pond one more time on my way south, and I found this critter enjoying a nap in the warm morning sun.
The pond ice has not all melted yet, but a pair of geese and at least a dozen mallards were enjoying what open water there was, and when I sat on the bench on the west lawn, the geese and a pair of mallards came up to say “hi”. I’m sure they were wondering if I had anything for them to eat, but that’s some other guy. Plus, the sign clearly says, “don’t feed the birds.”
Anyway, here’s the gander keeping an eye on me while his goose samples the grass. Here’s hoping that they are the pair who have raised goslings on the pond for as long as I’ve been doing this, and she will soon assume her throne on the southern tip of the island.
Here’s a bold mallard hen who quickly followed the geese.
And here’s a mallard drake hanging back for a second.
I didn’t have any luck finding the flicker again, so wish me some for tomorrow morning.
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 