I went to Blandy Arboretum to look for the Crossbills and the Redpoll. No
luck with either. The tree I found the Redpoll in on the 17th was empty.
The Shrike continues to occupy the field near the weather station and it
was interesting to look at the thorn bushes there for impaled prey. The
Shrike has food on many of the bushes with grasshoppers, spiders, beetles,
caterpillars, a small snail, and a small shrew, all impaled on thorns.
Thanks to William and Dave for spotting a Rusty Blackbird and Swamp Sparrow
at the marsh.
I went over to Sky Meadows and parked at the bridle trail. In the parking
area, 2 Savannah Sparrows were perched on the fence. Shortly into the walk,
I came across a small flock of sparrows on the trail. There were Tree,
Field, White-crowned and Song Sparrows there. Further along the trail I saw
a Norther Harrier, immature Kestrel and flock of about 15 Meadow Larks out
over the fields. As I was walking back along the trail towards the parking
area, I noticed about 30 American Pipits sitting along the fence line. I
was able to get them in my scope and take a few pictures before they
started to fly off across the field. When they started flying, about 50
more flew up from the field to join them and they all circled around,
calling, landing in small trees, or going back into the grass.
