Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tower Grove Park Again

This Thursday, I went to Tower Grove Park in the afternoon. I saw redstarts, magnolia warblers, chestnut-sided warblers, wilson's warblers, and, the highlight, a hooded warbler. I'm afraid I don't have any pictures, but I will soon post about saturday's trip to TGP, which will contain some nice photos.

Tower Grove Park

A few Sundays ago, I went to Tower Grove Park. Species observed included a summer tanager, black-throated green warbler, kentucky warbler, wood thrush, and common yellowthroat.

Afterwards, I went to Kennedy Forest in Forest park, where there were swainson's thrushes, a northern parula, and a nesting blue-gray gnatcatcher.

Beginner Bird Walk

A few weekends ago, I went on the Forest Park Forever Beginner Bird Walk. It is led by very knowledgeable Audubon members, and geared toward beginners. On it, we saw many species, including a ruby-throated hummingbird, white-eyed vireo, eastern kingbird, white-throated sparrow, red-tailed hawk, nashville warbler, magnolia warbler, magnolia warbler, and brown thrasher.
White-eyed vireo
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Kingbird
I think these are the caterpillars that make "tents" in trees
These red-tails were on top of a building across from the park

Yard Birds

In the fall, and earlier this spring, I observed a seeming lack of migrants in our yard. However, that has changed. I realized that I need to look in the big oak trees in our front yard, instead of the low bushy trees in our backyard. I have been able to see a tennessee warbler, swainson's thrush, male redstart, and many other warblerish birds that only show me their bellies However, there was also a common yellowthroat in the backyard. Earlier this spring, I saw in my yard for the first time white-crowned sparrows.
Also, a pair of robins nested in the holly tree right outside our front window. All the babies have fledged by now.