January 13th

 

January 13th

          Four and twenty blackbirds (not baked in a pie) swooped down and landed right in front of us.  Near the entrance to Maumee Bay State Park, we were able to sort through a huge mixed flock of blackbirds and found Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Common Grackles.  Blackbirds are NOT really our favorite birds, but we did need them for our yearly list.  We took a walk on the boardwalk at Maumee Bay and found several Swamp Sparrows. 

          A little earlier in the morning, we had been to Cullen and Bayview Parks in Point Place.  Things were pretty frozen there, but we took a walk in the woodlot at Bayview and saw a tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet.

          Finally, we went a little further east along Duff-Washa Road which follows Turtle Creek and there a Belted Kingfisher unexpectedly flew up from the nearly frozen creek.  All and all, it was a very good day although the special birds were camera shy, and we mostly had fleeting glances. (6 new species, total 89)

          Belted Kingfisher                          Red-winged Blackbird

          Golden-crowned Kinglet               Brown-headed Cowbird

          Swamp Sparrow                          Common Grackle

                                      Bald Eagle (Bayview Park)

                                      Tundra Swan
 
 

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