Declining Songsters

Updates 

Good morning, readers, before I go on to this week's feature about declining songsters, I wanted to  update you on the status of the blog. As of this week, I am still making changes to the format, layout, and features and playing around with what types of content I will display on the main page or on secondary pages. I felt that birdfeeding article I did last week was a little long for the main page and I might migrate that post to its own section. 

Some major changes included the addition of tabs on the top of the page. As of right now I only have an overview page about the blog, and is in the process of creating a basic bird gardening page. Stay tuned for updates and I hope to do part two of the birdfeeding guide in the near future. 

Declining Songsters  

Spring brings the sounds of nature to life and there is no shortage of beautiful voices in the avian world. As I wrote this post, I had my window open and heard Carolina Wrens, American Robins, gnatcatchers, and Brown Thrashers singing along with a resident rooster. We may take birds for granted, but in reality many of our favorite songbirds are declining rapidly. Two examples of once common sounds that are dwindling in numbers are the Wood Thrush and the Brown Thrasher. According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Wood Thrush has declined nearly 2% per year which adds up to 62% from 1966 to 2014. The Brown Thrasher on the other hand has declined by 41% in the same period. Both birds are still relatively common in the Carolinas but could vanish from forests, parks, and gardens within our lifetimes if we do not reverse or slow their declines. 

Wood Thrush 

Starling sized, with rounded spots
Wood Thrush photo from Wikimedia Foundation, Public Domain

The Wood Thrush is a medium sized thrush that is about the same size as a Common Starling and is a rounded bird not unlike the more familiar American Robin. This bird is one of only three thrushes that nest in our region with the American Robin and Eastern Bluebird being the other two. This bird has a reddish brown back and head, and a white body with dark spots. They are present in the Carolinas from March or April until October and breed from April to July raising one or two broods per year. Their song is a flutelike whistle that transitions into a gurgling call and ends with a fading trill. Wood Thrush songs at Cornell All About Birds

Facts 

Season: Mar-Oct

Range: Eastern North America, in the Carolinas it is present in both but is more common inland 

Status: Locally common and declining, in the Cape Fear this bird is more numerous during autumn migration. Cornell Labs list its decline at 2% per year although this is 2014 data. 

Habitat: Eastern deciduous forest, mixed forest, parks, wooded residential areas, during migration around magnolias, dogwood, pokeweed or other fruits. 

Nest: Robinlike nest of grass, twigs, roots, and mud placed in a understory tree or a shade tree. Lays robin-blue eggs, and raises 3-4 birds per clutch 

Food: Earthworms, snails, insects, isopods, as well as fruits, berries. Rarely comes to bird tables but could take suet or mealworms. 

Threats: Forest fragmentation, cowbird parasitism, acid rain, pesticides, over abundance of nest predators, cats, and Accipiter hawks, window strikes

Places to Look: Any woodland or park in the region, they may nest in or visit gardens and yard near wooded areas. Listen for their song and look for birds on lawns, leaf litter or perched in trees.

Brown Thrasher 

Jay sized  with streaks, long tail
Photo Curtis Downy circa 2012

The Brown Thrasher is a large, thrush like bird with the profile and behavior of a roadrunner. This bird is not actually a thrush but is part of the Mimid family which includes the familiar Northern Mockingbird and the loud but furtive Grey Catbird. Brown Thrashers are around the size of a Cuckoo or Blue Jay (12 or 13" 30-33cm long) although most of its length is tail. The bird itself is actually around the same size as a Wood Thrush with a much longer bill and slimmer profile. Thrashers are roughly the same color as the thrush except that its body has streaks instead of round spots, and the wings have some barring. Brown Thrashers are year-round residents with most birds staying in one place although northern migrants mix with local birds. They nest from March to August and can raise up to three broods in a season, just like the mockingbird. Their song is a loud series of flutelike whistles, mixed with trills, chatter, warbles and other sounds and may include some mimicry. Thrashers always sing in pairs or triplets while mockingbirds repeat sounds up to six times, and catbirds say things only once. Compared to the Wood Thrush, the Thrasher has a more complex and variable song, but many of its phrases can sound like the Wood Thrush at first.  Brown Thrasher Songs at Cornell All About Birds

Facts 

Season: Jan-Dec, becomes more numerous in winter due to northern migrants 

Range: Eastern and Central North America, in the Carolinas it is present in all regions 

Status: Locally common to abundant in the Cape Fear but generally considered an uncommon species. It has declined by more than 42% according to Cornell Labs using 2016 data 

Habitat: Deciduous or mixed forests with dense understory, scrubland, old fields, countryside with copses, hedges, or brambles. May also thrive in wooded parks, gardens, or near foundation shrubs

Nest: Builds a large layered nest of twigs, vines, briers, and other materials low in brambles, briers, wild roses, or on the ground. They occasionally nest higher in trees or vine-covered trees. Lays 3-6 eggs and raises up to three broods per year. Caution: defends nest aggressively 

Food: Snails, worms, isopods, large insects, occasional vertebrates, thrashers also eat fruits, seeds, acorns, and other foods when available. They will visit bird tables for peanuts, sunflower seeds, corn, suet, mealworms, or table scraps, usually on or near the ground 

Threats: Forest fragmentation and loss of scrublands, pesticides, predators and feral cats/dogs, automobile collisions, window strikes, cowbird parasitism, acid rain 

Places to Look: Thrashers are still abundant in the Cape Fear and can be found in any woodland, hedgerow and park. They often visit gardens and could nest in dense hedges or brambles in overgrown areas. 

Future 

The Wood Thrush and Brown Thrashers are in my opinion among the greatest singers of the Eastern Forests. The thrush has a song that is iconic of the wilderness and is a mainstay of a summer hike in the woods or a walk in the park. The thrasher has the ability to sing more than 2000 different phrases and its distinctive pattern brings attention to otherwise overlooked songbird. However, the future of these birds and many others are uncertain. The Wood Thrush has already disappeared from many woodlands and gardens in North America. In the case of the Thrasher, it is still common in our area but many studies have shown declines in other regions and it is unclear if the more adaptable mockingbird will displace it from urban areas. This is yet another important reminder to take a minute to enjoy the sights and sounds around you and not take things for granted. The Passenger Pigeon and Carolina Parakeet were once abundant and widespread before they were wiped out, so no animal is immune to extinction. 

Day in the Life of a Window Birder

A little television (Back to the Future Style) to brighten a dreary morning, turn to The Hedge and Garden TV on Window channel 242 to catch...

Birds Watching Birds 

On todays episode of Birds Watching Birds with Rojo the Cardinal,

We welcome Tudor the Robin and Emperor Puffin as our cohosts and guests Woody Lumberjack, the Sitta Nuthatch family and Ironman's Tony Downy Jr. and his wife Christina.

Enjoy the Show 

Earth Day and Birdfeeding Basics Part I

As you may know, Earth Day turns fifty today. While we may not be doing environmental programs, festivals, or outings today, it is still a good time to reflect on things we did to help the environment and the health human society. From recycling to planting native plants for bees, wasps, and butterflies, there are many things people can do to help the environment. It also happens that Google created a special minigame on its main webpage about the importance of bees.

A few updates  

1. I am relatively new to blogging and am playing around with layouts, themes, and how to organize the content. I may make some changes to the site overtime.
2. I have decided that midweek will be the time for new posts or articles with Wednesday Morning being my targeted work time. 
3. Some ideas that I may incorporate into the blog include a separate page or sub-section about attracting birds and wildlife, and some galleries of photos I have taken, as I learn to use the platform.
4.  The main blog will include a mix of nature content based on bird activity, observation notes and tips as well as other information such as book reviews, birdfeeder observations, places to go, and articles. 
5. If anyone has any ideas for articles or content, leave them in the comments and I look into incorporating them in blog. 

Birdfeeding 101 (Part 1)

My current birdfeeding setup. This is window mounted suet cage and hopper feeder. This is ideal for apartments, upstairs bedrooms, or classrooms.

Many birdlovers including myself first got into birds by feeding them. In my case, I loved to feed ducks, seagulls, and pigeons at local parks and my grandfather kept pigeons. For new birdwatchers or anyone who wants bring entertainment to the garden, birdfeeders are a good place to start. 

Birdfeeders can bring a wide variety of birds to the garden and provide a supplemental food during the winter. Contrary to popular belief, songbirds do not become dependent on birdfeeders to the point that they stop eating naturally or forgo migration. Instead feeders serve as a snack for adult birds while insects, wild seeds or nuts, and fruits remain important for their survival for raising young.

People can feed birds in a variety of ways. We may start out by scattering seeds, table scraps, or other items on the doorstep or lawn, while others might visit a park where chickadees or nuthatches come to your hand. After awhile, we might choose to upgrade to a more permanent setup such as a bird table (a open tray with legs or single post) or a simple tube or tray feeder hung from a tree. Most stores sell birdseed at inexpensive prices. After installing the feeder and filling it, with seed we wait for the first bird to discover it. 

Your First Feeder

With the pandemic in full swing, we are stuck at home and have a lot of free time to do other things. This is a good time for newcomers to the hobby to set up their first feeder. Many stores still sell feeders, food, and other accessories as it usually located within the garden center while online retailers deliver to your home. I will now go over some tips for setting your first feeder.

Location: Before buying food or a feeder, it is a good to take a look at your property and find a good place for the setup. If you live in an apartment or a place with a homeowners' association, make sure you check your community's policies or talk with management before feeding birds. In general, the birdfeeder should be in a place you can easily see it from a window, patio, or sitting area. That location should also be in a place you can easily access to refill or clean the feeder, and away from areas such as driveways, sidewalks, or places you may not want birds gathering. 

Placement: Birdfeeders should be placed in an area where it is easily visible to the birds but close enough to cover that visitors can escape if a hawk, falcon, or other threat approaches. Bird tables and ground feeders should be kept at least 6-10ft from shrubs or vegetation as a cat could hide and ambush the birds. In the case of hanging feeders, there are some more things to consider. Any feeder on a tree or post could be reached by squirrels or raccoons. It is important not to place the feeder in too high of a location as it would be difficult to reach for filling but placing it too low will make it easy for cats or squirrels to reach it. I find that 4-6ft is ideal for any standalone feeding station with its own pole. Baffles or guards can be used to prevent some animals from reaching the food. Good places to hang your first feeder include shepherd hooks, awnings, or a secure tree branch.

Feeder Types: Today, there are almost as many birdfeeder designs as there are brands of garden tools. Many feeders that are designed to be decorative pieces are not practical for feeding birds as they are too difficult to clean, fall apart in the elements, or do not allow enough room for birds to land. The most effective feeders include tray feeders or bird tables, tube feeders, hoppers, as well as suet cages which are used for solid foods. For your first feeder, any basic and inexpensive device will do but as I have learned, cheaper is not always better. A bargain priced plastic tube feeder or a self-assembled balsa wood kit will be destroyed by squirrels in no time, but it is also not a good idea to pay more than $20 for a feeder until you have an idea of what foods or birds you might want. Squirrel proof feeders are a little more expensive but protect your food from rodents, large birds, and if well-made can last a long time. Below are some photo examples of feeder designs commonly available in stores or online. 

Squirrel-proof tube feeder on a shepherd hook

A covered bird table in urban garden

Suet Cage and Suction Cup Feeders

Mounting: Most feeders are mounted to standalone poles, hooks, or posts and can be placed almost anywhere. Multi-hook shepherd poles can support multiple feeders or can also double as places to hang potted plants or decor. Tube, hopper, and hanging tray feeders can be installed on awnings, hooks, or tree branches, while suction cup window feeders mount to glass. Since we live in a somewhat windy climate, it is a good idea to choose a site that is sheltered from the wind or use hooks and mounts strong enough to withstand both the forces of nature or any animal that finds the setup. I often take in my feeders at night, so it may be a good idea to install a feeder in a way that it can be easily dismounted, including for cleaning. 

Foods: As with the feeders themselves, there are a sea of food options for wild birds and even the supermarket chains has 6-10 different kinds of seeds as well as speciality food. Ignoring hummingbird nectar, the most common groups of foods include seed mixes, suet, and specialized food such as mealworms. Some non-avian foods such as peanut butter, grape jelly, nuts, and fruits are safe for birds as well, but we should not serve bread to birds and minimize the use of table scraps. For beginners, I recommend using a seed mix consisting mostly of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and safflower, while suet cakes are also a clean and easy way to feed birds in small spaces. Avoid seed mixes with fillers such as milo, wheat, corn, barley, and millet (a round reddish seed) as most garden birds will not eat it with the exception of House Sparrows, cowbirds, and blackbirds. Fillers also attract rats, squirrels, rabbits, and other pests. Black sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, or mid quality seed mixes (without grain or milo) are relatively inexpensive and attract a wide variety of birds

Good Starter Foods 

• Black Sunflower Seeds
• Safflower
• Shelled Peanuts
• Seed mixes with mostly sunflower, safflower, or peanuts 
• Suet cakes listed as peanut, insect, fruit, or no-melt mixes (the latter being for the summer)
• Seed blocks or cakes 

Foods to Avoid 

• Bargain mixes filled with grains, corn, milo, millet, or husks (the bags contain mostly reddish kernels, corn, and debris) 
• Plain millet as it attracts a narrow variety of birds 
• Thistle or Niger seed unless you are attracting goldfinches
• Food for parrots or pet birds 
• Most human foods and bread is not healthy for birds 
• Corn

Seed Mix Examples 

My personal seed blend with a mix store-brought mixes speciality seeds and mealworms

A common mid-quality blend with no fillers. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are the most popular foods for local birds

Mealworms are good for attracting warblers, wrens, thrushes or catbirds

Examples of suet blends available in stores, place these in cage feeders. 

Feeding Tips

After you get your feeder up and running, maintenance is relatively simple for the basic feeder types. 

• The food should be kept dry as rain or snow will cause the food to rot and mold.
• Replace any wet or soiled seed 
• Clean feeder setups between fillings by rinsing in a mild soap solution if they look filthy (do this at least once a month)
• Suet should be placed out of the direct sun as most blends will melt above 30 degrees C (or 86F) or use no-melt blends. Suet that becomes wet will grow mold 
• Hummingbird feeders should be emptied and cleaned weekly
• If squirrels are a problem, relocate the feeder to another area, install baffles to poles, or buy a squirrel resistant feeder 
• To minimize House Sparrows and other pest species, stick to sunflower seeds, safflower, or other foods or just offer suet. 
• Allow a week for birds to find your feeder and consider scattering some seed on the ground nearby. Chickadees or cardinals are often the first birds to find a new feeder. 

The second part of this guide will go over how to increase the diversity of birds that come to your feeders and explain common problems we will run into. Stay tuned and enjoy the outdoors.  

Nesting Season

It's that time of Year Again!

Yellow Throated Warbler pulling nest material from our planter.

Spring or late winter in our area is an exciting time for bird and nature lovers and after autumn migration it is one of my times of the year. In Southeastern North Carolina and much of Eastern South Carolina, breeding season begins as early as late autumn. Birds such as chickadees, bluebirds, many woodpeckers, and wrens may pair or peak around for nest sites in October or November. Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, White Breasted Nuthatches and Pine Warblers begin singing in late December (it seems to be around Christmas or just before New Year’s in Wilmington). In the Wilmington Area, chickadees, Brown Headed Nuthatches, Common Starlings, and Pine Warblers can nest as early as late February during a warm winter. After the “early birds”, the breeding season in our area can last well into August with cardinals, mockingbirds, Carolina Wrens, and even finches still raising young by the time the first autumn visitors arrive. A few birds such as Mourning Doves, Barred, Barn, and Great Horned Owls or the Bald Eagle may nest during the winter. 

Nesting in the Garden 

Bluebird Box in our garden

Virtually any neighborhood, park or garden can be a suitable habitat for songbirds and some birds of prey. Most gardens in our area may host 15-20 nesting species without anything special, although a yard with more habitat or in a rural setting might have as many species as a woodland or meadow. Even the city center has more than just House Sparrows or Rock Doves with landscaped courtyards and dooryards hosting Carolina Wrens, mockingbirds, and cardinals with as little as a few bushes or an ivy-covered wall. Nests can be found in the trees, in bushes or on the ground, while a handful of birds use cavities including tree holes, building crevices, or a birdhouse.

How to Bring Nesting Birds to the Garden

Native Plants in our garden circa 2011

Songbirds and a number of other bird species could be drawn into a garden with a few modifications. Birdhouses are a good start as they will entice chickadees, bluebirds, or in interior parts of the Carolinas, House Wrens to nest. Cardinals, mockingbirds, and House Finches can take residence in any shrub or tree with ample cover, while orioles, jays, and warblers will make do with any large shade tree. An ordinary suburban or urban yard certainly has room for improvement though. Some of the easiest ways to attract nesting birds to any garden is to make minor modifications to the landscape. You do not have to recreate a woodland or allow the garden to become overgrown to host birds. Adding additional trees, plants native to North America (or the Carolinas if possible) and reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides will provide cover as well as host insects that birds depend on to raise their young. In the Carolinas, the majority of birds that inhabit human settlement are woodland birds, so adding trees, hedgerows, and some garden beds will be enough to increase the local bird diversity significantly. Most neighborhoods already have established trees or woodland fragments. 

Starter List 

1. Reduce or find alternatives to pesticides in the garden

2. Replace some lawn or open space with garden beds, trees, hedgerows, or other landscaping 

3. Plant native trees, shrubs, and plants to increase insect diversity. Some good plants include oaks, pines, and dogwoods for trees, viburnums, Coral Honeysuckle, and Red Cedar for shrubs. Native or nonnative flowering plants both attract insects 

4. Try to prune trees, shrubs, and hedges during the autumn, or winter to avoid disturbing nesting birds 

5. Connect woodlands or hedges with corridors. These can be as simple as planting tall perennials or a row of azaleas from a forest edge to make a hedgerow. 

6. Leave a corner of the garden quiet (no playing, pets, or heavy maintenance), this is where shier species such as thrushes, thrashers, sparrows, and wrens will nest.   

7. Put up birdhouses, gourds or ledges for chickadees, bluebirds, flycatchers, and House Wrens. Carolina Wrens don't use birdhouses but will use wicker baskets or gourds. 

8. Watch and listen for nesting activity such as birds picking up material, carrying insects, and observe any nests from a respectful distance 

9. Keep cats, and dogs inside or supervise them closely.

10. At the Bird Table, offer mealworms, suet, and other soft foods as many species of birds including species that rarely come to feeders otherwise will use the supplemental food for themselves to their nestlings. Catbirds, starlings, warblers, wrens, woodpeckers, and bluebirds especially enjoy these food items during the spring and summer. 

Common Breeding Species 

1. Northern Cardinal 
2. Northern Mockingbird 
3. Carolina Wren
4. American Robin 
5. House Finch 
6. Mourning Dove 
7. Pine or Yellow Throated Warbler (former if there are more pines) 
8. Brown Thrasher 
9. Blue Jay (around oaks or beeches)
10. Chipping Sparrow (mostly in pine dominated areas) 

Hole Nesting Species 

1. Carolina Chickadee 
2. Eastern Bluebird 
3. Tufted Titmouse 
4. Red Bellied Woodpecker
5. House Sparrow (more so in urban centers)
6. Common Starling 
7. Great Crested Flycatcher 
8. Downy Woodpecker (in forested sections)
9. Pileated Woodpecker
10. Protonotary Warbler (near water)

Nesting Birds that are Overlooked 

1. Orchard Oriole 
2. Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (habitat dependent) 
3. Ruby Throated Hummingbird 
4. Indigo Bunting (Painted Bunting near seacoast)
5. Eastern Wood Pewee
6. Red Eyed Vireos
7. Grey Catbird 
8. Blue Grey Gnatcatcher 
9. Yellow Billed Cuckoo 
10. Eastern Towhee
11. Wood Thrush (but declining in numbers)
12. Look out for oddities such as night herons, ibis, geese, turkeys, owls, hawks, and Killdeer Plovers that may choose to nest in yards near suitable habitats. 

Nest Gallery 

Mockingbird with fledgling circa 2010

Carolina Wrens build some of the most complex nests in our area 

Eastern Bluebird eggs 

Carolina Chickadee nestlings

Life at Greenfield Lake

Greenfield Lake Park

Greenfield Lake with Azaleas in Bloom, Mar 2020

You may have heard about the Central Park Effect. Many cities in North America have parks and greenspaces that serve as important habitat for birds and wildlife, while providing us with places to relax or exercise. In Wilmington NC, our "Central Park" is Greenfield Lake. It is one of more than 50 city, and county parks in New Hanover County and is arguably one of the best birding spots in the area. As with Central Park, the former millpond sits at the center of the city and is surrounded by busy roads, a bustling seaport, and housing. This park has such good birdlife that it has been featured in the North Carolina Birding Trail series as a highlight of the Coastal Plain. 

Overview: Greenfield Lake Park is city park that is just a few miles from the city center and has a four mile paved recreation greenway, numerous bridges, and an amphitheatre. The park is one of the busiest in the city and is a good place to walk, jog, bike, or have a picnic, although it does not have as much recreational areas as Empire or Hugh McRae Parks which will be highlighted in future posts. As far as nature, the millpond is surrounded by Bald Cypress, tupelos, sweetgums, willows, and alders creating a habitat similar to a bottomland hardwood forest. The park itself consists of a mix of planted azaleas, camellias, palmettos and other shrubs, wooded areas, meadows, and reedbeds as well as landscaped gardens with heirloom plants. 

Mix of Alders, Swamp Rose, and other plants amongst Bald Cypress and Tupleos 

Nature Notes: Greenfield Lake is one of the best places to begin observing nature for the first time, and was likely how I got into birds in the first place. There are wild and feral geese and ducks that live on the park year round, although it is not a good idea to feed the birds or alligators. Beyond the waterfowl, there are herons, ibis, grebes, Barred and Great Horned Owls, numerous songbirds, as well as other wildlife such as deer and alligators. While the park is good to visit year round, the best time to watch birds is from autumn to mid-spring (October through April). This is when many songbirds and waterfowl are passing through the park on migration, and large roosts of egrets, ibis, herons, and cormorants occupy the park. 

Highlights: While Greenfield Lake has more than 200 reported bird species, the highlights include the following

American Alligator, an example of an apex predator 

Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Red Shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Barred Owl, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Belted Kingfisher, various woodpeckers

Songbirds such as Great Crested Flycatcher, Red Eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Brown Thrasher, Grey Catbird, Yellow Throated Warbler, Protonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, Common Grackle. Numerous fall migrants. 

Noted Rarities: Wood Stork, Eurasian Widgeon

Other Animals: White Tailed Deer, American Alligator, occasionally beavers, otters, muskrats, coyotes, foxes, and other visitors.

Birding during the Covid 19 Era

During these difficult times, it has become more difficult for us to go about our daily lives and many things we took for granted are on hold. For me that includes going out into nature or being part of birding trips or volunteer opportunities during the weekends. Despite the “stay-at-home” orders and the onset of this new virus, we can always stay connected to nature from our own gardens, dooryards, or the local park. 

This Hermit Thrush greets us with song each morning. 

As a casual or “window birder” and a gardener, I enjoy looking at birds and other wildlife in my garden and around my city more than going out to faraway places. Even if the big trip to the National Park or to another birding mecca is out of the question, there are more bird species that live in cities, towns, and suburbs than we think. Take these next few weeks, or months to observe the birds and other inhabitants in your garden or local park, while social distancing. Continue maintaining your bird tables or feeders, and attract local species with plantings, birdhouses, water features, and other creative ideas. Lastly, just keep your eyes and ears open as Spring Migration is bringing in a lot of good stuff to the Wilmington area. 

How to Birdwatch during the Pandemic 

1.    Take this time to study field guides, visit online sites such as Cornell All About Birds, or even just googling bird species you see at your feeders 

2.    Take morning walks or enjoy your coffee, tea, or breakfast in your garden or patio. Don’t forget the binoculars 

3.    If allergies are not a problem, this is a perfect time to open your window in the mornings to hear the chorus of birds 

4.    If you haven’t, already, put out a bird table or feeder in your garden. Most stores still allow you to order or pick up bird food, feeders, or other equipment via online sites 

5.    Watch birdhouses for nesting bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, or flycatchers, while cardinals, thrashers, thrushes, and orioles often nest in trees or shrubs. 

6.    If they are open in your county, city, or state, go to a city or county park to walk, bike, or birdwatch. Nature trails, and some state parks also remain open. Remember to social distance.

7.    Study the behaviors of resident birds in your garden. I find species such as Carolina Wrens, chickadees, thrushes, thrashers, and even urban House Sparrow populations as fascinating as going to find rare species in a forest

8.    Don’t forget to look for other wildlife such as bees, wasps, lizards, frogs, and even mammals that also continue to go about their days. 

9.    Photograph, record, or sketch what you see, and consider starting a nature journal. These photographs are all taken with an iPad through a pair of binoculars. 

Some Encouraging Finds from Greenfield Lake 

Bald Eagle at Greenfield Lake April 2nd, 2020

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher 

White Ibis and Canada Goose at Greenfield. This goose's partner is nesting nearby