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The first thing to remember when bird watching is to stay quiet, listen and look. If you are searching for a particular bird, stop and consider what type of food they eat and the habitat they live in. Chances are, if you find those, you will find the bird. Due to various reasons over the last several years many species of birds have been in decline. If you are lucky, you might spot a Swainson's Warbler, Bachman's Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Summer Tanager or the Cerulean Warbler. One's eye may be distracted by some of our showcase birds. These brightly colored birds include the red Scarlet Tanager, blue Indigo Bunting and the yellow Prothonotary Warbler.
Beaver Pond Trail is a good place to observe a variety of birds in their native environment. Herons and ducks can sometimes be found here. The Killdeer, Prairie Warbler, and Horned Lark can be found dwelling in open fields. Wild turkey can be seen crossing the roads or in the Backcountry. Dark-eyed Junkos, Ovenbirds and the Rufous-sided Towhe's can be found foraging among the forest floors. Eastern Phoebe, Chuck-will's-widow and the Whip-poor-will can be more often heard than seen in the Backcountry Area. Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks. They have a piercing call. Nuthatches are often found roaming around on the trunks and branches of trees. Grosbeaks have a large heavy beak and can easily be recognized. Northern Cardinal is one of our more abundant birds. The male is more brightly colored than the female. Dark-eyed Junco is commonly found in the winter. Look for its outer tail feathers flashing when in flight. It is often seen in small flocks while on the ground. Loggerhead Shrikes are masked hunters. They hunt insects and have been known to impale their prey on thorns and barbed wire. Woodpeckers and Sapsuckers with their sharp claws, strong feet and stiff tail can be found pounding away with their stout beaks at the trunks of trees. |
Last updated: May 11, 2018