Big Monday In Luria Park

We finally had a clear sunny day on Monday, May 16th. I decided to go into Luria Park in the morning, mid-day, and late afternoon. Late afternoon beginning at 5:30, we met up with Raymondale residents, Sarah, Sanny, Lisa, and Ashleigh. As our merry group made our way into Luria Park we were joined by residents from Homes Run including Amanda, a bird expert newly located here from the Windy City. We saw so many birds late in the day that we didn't wrap up our birding until 7:30.

At the end of the day we tallied 34 species including some warbler migrants just passing through. Here are the highlights:

A Turkey Vulture noshing on a raccoon carcass on the side of the Raymondale entrance to Luria Park. We certainly need these carrion to keep our world neat and tidy. Amanda noted that their heads are feather free because they don't want to get their nasty meal stuck on their feathers.

Industrious Blue-gray Gnatcatcher pulling webs from tent caterpillars to make his home soft and cozy. Note his beak full of web.

Eagle-eyed Ashleigh spotted a small flock of Cedar Waxwings chowing down on seeds from a river birch near the basketball court. These smooth birds have a very high whistling song and usually travel in small flocks stripping the tree they land in of seeds before moving on. These birds will probably breed further north of our area.

This Eastern Kingbird was spotted on a small branch near the creek by the bridge. He was very active getting a drink in the creek and a bug on the wing. He was soon joined by a second Kingbird and they flew off toward Raymondale. They will breed in our region having flown from South America to be here. Note the white tail tip.

The Eastern Wood Pewee's were very vocal in the park on Monday. You can hear their distinctive song: "pee-a-wee". Males announce their territory with the song while perched in a conspicuous place. This male was sitting on a piece of wooden tree fencing near the bridge.

Along the trail from the Fallowfield entrance a pair of Grey Catbirds foraged in the path for insects and small worms. A bold bird that allowed me to get very close before flying to a nearby branch until I moved on from their feasting ground.

Young birds were all over the park, including this fluffy Tufted Titmouse waiting for mom to bring him a tasty treat.

Warblers were all over the park, not so easy to photograph, but so very welcome as they have traveled a great distance to be here or to feed and head northward. This Red-eyed Vireo was feeding from the underside of leaves hopping all over the place. They prefer the shady leaf canopy. Note the black eye stripe and olive drab feathers. They have a distinctive song that sounds like" "Here I am...Where are you?"

A highlight of the later afternoon was looking very high in an oak tree by the boardwalk and spotting this very colorful Blackburnian Warbler.

He was very active in the high tree canopy searching under leaves for tasty treats, even hanging upside down in his quest.

As you can see the shots I got from way down below were mostly of his underparts, but you can see the very distinctive bright orange and black stripes on his head, around his eye, and along his neck. Everyone got a nice look, and Sanny commented that the bird's coloring reminded her of parrots! I agree!

And less parrot like coloring but a welcome spring/summer resident is this Swainson's Thrush foraging for insects on the path with his Catbird friends. Note the white eye ring and dark neck speckles. Such a serious looking fellow!

It was a great day and I was happy to get a few photos to share with you. Here is the complete list of what was seen in Luria Park this sunny Monday in May:

Eastern Wood-pewee
Turkey Vulture
Swainson's Thrush
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Red-eyed Vireo
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
American Redstart
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Grey Catbird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Great-crested Flycatcher
Northern Parula (heard)
Northern Flicker
Tufted Titmouse
Mourning Dove
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Carolina Wren
Wood Thrush (heard)
House Wren
House Sparrow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Goldfinch
Chimney Swift
Common Yellowthroat
Red-bellied Woodpecker

Thanks to everyone who came out and we'll do this again soon! Happy Birding!