January 12th

 

January 12th

          Yesterday there was no post because we had no new birds! January is really “the dead of the winter”. The “snowbirds” have migrated south. The only birds around other than the occasional rarity are the permanent residents and the winter visitors. This month probably has the fewest number of species so it’s a lot of work to track them down.

          Today we did have some success. We went to Oak Openings Metropark and found several Red-headed Woodpeckers. They are found here year around, but in fewer numbers this time of year, because some of them migrate south.  We also found a Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a telephone wire. This was a very good find, and we were excited.  Mike also took a nice photo of an American Tree Sparrow which we had seen previously. (2 new species, total 83)

          Red-headed Woodpecker

          Red-shouldered Hawk  

                                           Red-headed Woodpecker

                                           Red-shouldered Hawk
 
                                           American Tree Sparrow

               

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