Eight SIB members gathered the morning of Sunday, September 11, for a two-hour birding session at the Equestrian Center. Many of the group are new to birding and were hoping to simply see and identify some new birds. A few had specific species in mind. Unfortunately, the latter group did not see a cattle egret nor a brown headed cowbird which were likely candidates for the date and location. The sightings, however, exceeded expectations. Below is the complete list of the 24 bird species either seen or heard during the outing. Unfortunately, all images of these creatures are in the birders’ memories.
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
6 Eurasian Collared-Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 Red-eyed Vireo
4 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
4 Carolina Chickadee
3 Tufted Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
23 Eastern Bluebird
10 Northern Mockingbird
50 European Starling
1 American Redstart
1 Pine Warbler
1 Yellow-throated Warbler
2 Prairie Warbler
1 Baltimore Oriole
4 House Finch
Aija Konrad continued birding after the group left and also saw a rare Lark Sparrow, two Eastern Kingbirds and a Barn Swallow.
