We went on an early morning bird walk yesterday led by Bob Mayer and Andrew Joslin. We saw a number of bird species. Two were a first for me, and one a first in the Boston area.
As is often the case, a red-tailed hawk was spotted near the Visitor Center. Another juvenile (not pictured) was perched on top of a dawn redwood.
We saw two species of woodpeckers: a pair of northern flickers on top of a cedar and a downy woodpecker roaming a katsura tree.
A flock of American robins gathered in the cork trees (Phellodendron amurense). Bob and Andrew told us that they love to eat the fruit of these trees.
Two herons awaited us near the ponds. A great blue heron took flight upon seeing our group, crossing Meadow Road to land in another pond.
One of our group had the eyes to spot a black-crowned night heron hidden in a tree (the rest of us walked right by). This is my first recorded night heron sighting in the Boston area, although I’m pretty sure I have seen one on the island in the Public Garden.
Two more firsts: our group was excited to come upon a rusty blackbird poking around in the mud next to one of the ponds.
Finally, as we were watching a flock of cedar waxwings near the linden collection, we saw this warbler. My ID of blackpoll warbler is tentative. Update: Bob has identified this bird through the photos below as the black-throated green warbler.
My complete e-bird checklist for the day.
Bob Mayer’s checklist.
A big thanks to Bob and Andrew for leading this walk for free.