What a fabulous morning we had in Estabrook Park today. Temps were seasonably mild, skies were mostly clear, and the breeze was just about non-existent. On top of all that, some of the maple trees still have a few colorful leaves on them.
I’ve been waiting all fall for a bird to take advantage of that combination, and I couldn’t believe my luck this morning when the first one to do so turns out also to be the first warbler I’ve seen all month, this darling little yellow-rumped. Woo hoo!
The surprises weren’t done with me yet, because look who I found floating with the mallards on the river, our first American wigeon since last January.
The wigeon wasn’t even the only new bird on the river. This picture is nowhere near as nice, but I believe the duck right in the middle, following our gadwall drake, is a gadwall hen. They were hanging out with the wigeon, or vice versa, and that’s who’s standing slightly out of the water with chestnut flanks and a nice white belly.
Back at the pond, I was happy to see that we still have at least one pair of wood ducks, but the pied-billed grebe stole the show today.
Finally, I didn’t see any butterflies today, but I did see our first November dragonfly, an aptly named autumn meadowhawk. I’m pretty sure I saw one or two yesterday, as well, but none were willing to sit still until today.
In fact, they were enjoying the weather so much, this pair even tried to make some more. I read that autumn meadowhawks “overwinter in Wisconsin as dormant, fertilized eggs deposited in mud, wet moss, or shallow water margins” in October and November. So, these two are right on schedule, and I wish them the best of luck.
I hope you get/got a chance to enjoy the weather today because I see clouds are due to roll in by tomorrow morning. Sunny November sure was great while it lasted, eh?
Upcoming Events:
- Estabrook Park Fall Park Cleanup, Saturday, November 14, from 10AM – Noon, starting in the Beer Garden Parking Lot. If you’ve been itching for a chance to get your hands dirty in Estabrook Park, but removing buckthorn just isn’t your thing, then this could be your next best opportunity.
- Signs of Life in Estabrook Park, hosted by Sierra Club Great Waters Group on Thursday, November 19, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in St. Rita Square. I hear that this will be open to the public, and registration is encouraged, but won’t be strictly required.
