Registrar: Suzanne Zywicki
Participants: 10
Weather: Temperatures in the mid 60s – 70s °F, with light winds out of the west
Bird Species: 45
After rescheduling the trip twice due to rainy conditions, we were finally able to meet up with Allan Welby and several members of his local birding club to explore Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Soon after setting out from the Visitor Center, we encountered nest boxes being used by both Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows spread out over the terrain and arranged in pairs. Allan explained that placing them this way increases the incidence of the two species peaceably sharing the area.
Soon after, we spotted the first of three Orchard Orioles seen on the trip, as well as a Baltimore Oriole. As we continued, the group got good looks at the first of eight Blue-winged Warblers we saw over the course of the day. All in all, we saw or heard a total of five warbler species, the most abundant of which was the Northern Yellow Warbler.
One of the target birds we were all hoping to see was a Pileated Woodpecker. Early on, we heard one drumming in the distance but were unable to locate it. Later in the walk, two birders again heard the sound and this time we were rewarded with good looks at two of the handsome woodpeckers moving from tree to tree.
As we made our way toward Swan Lake, we continued to see a mix of species, including five brilliantly orange male Baltimore Orioles sharing a tree, perhaps trying to impress the lone female across the trail. We also encountered both a male and female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. At the lake, we saw a Great Blue Heron standing statue still, ready to strike, and an Eastern Kingbird flying back and forth across the water.
The walk provided a great introduction to the park for those who had not been there before and an enjoyable morning of birding for all.
Species List
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Northern House Wren
Gray Catbird
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Blue-winged Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Yellow Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting