Van Courtlandt Bird Walk Report 6-25-2011...

Baby Barn Swallows

Our group met up this morning at our usual spot, the nature center near the parade grounds. We did our usual scan of the fields, then headed out to bird along the Van Courtlandt Lake. By now, all of the regulars knew we were not going to encounter any of the hotbed of activities we had the during migration, but we were quite satisfied observing the breeding birds that were around. Some of our best looks today were of, Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica), Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus), Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) and Northern Rough-winged Swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis). We birded the lake, then went up to Vault Hill where we found a few butterflies amongst the Common Milkweed; in good numbers were, Sliver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) and Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela). On our way back to the Nature Center, we had close up views of Chimney Swifts as they skimmed the fields in search of food. With them were numerous Barn, Tree and Northern Rough Winged Swallows. Later as folks dispersed, those that stayed with me on my way out picked up Willow Flycatcher and Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

Below is a list of the Birds and Butterflies seen on our walk.
Total Birds: 37
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Total Butterflies: 5
Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)

Tags: Van Courtlandt Bird Walk