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Here is a full report on our March Nature Walk, courtesy of Ron
Polniaszek, the walk leader:
AUDUBON NATURE WALK REPORT - March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 21st started out crisp (35 degrees F) and sunny. Eighteen intrepid nature lovers showed up at the
Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary in Mt. Airy for a two-and-one half mile walk. It was still a little early for
the Spring migrants to appear, but several interesting birds were spotted nonetheless. The lack of leaves on the
trees made for easy sight lines to the birds that were present. By the end of our walk, temperatures rose to 45
degrees F.
Some of the walk highlights included a flyover of a pair of Great Blue Herons, a perched Belted Kingfisher at the
pond, the first Tree Swallow of the spring, and Red-tailed Hawks taking advantage of the numerous thermals over
the grassy fields. Both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks were busy searching for prey. A flock of American Crows
were harassing a suspected Barred Owl that uses the pine trees on the hill overlooking the northeastern corner
of the sanctuary. The owl kept hidden from our view, although we tried to spot it from the fields below its perch.
It finally flew away out of view to the north away from the crows for some privacy. Still around because of the
recent cold spell were many White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. A good spot was the White-crowned Sparrow
on the western side of the sanctuary. The characteristic songs of abundant Field Sparrows were a welcome harbinger
of spring. In addition to the birds, we saw a White-tailed Deer and a Woodchuck.
A list of the birds spotted this day follows:
| Great Blue Heron |
Carolina Wren |
| Turkey Vulture |
Eastern Bluebird |
| Canada Goose |
American Robin |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk |
Northern Mockingbird |
| Cooper's Hawk |
European Starling |
| Red-tailed Hawk |
Eastern Towhee |
| Mourning Dove |
American Tree Sparrow |
| Belted Kingfisher |
Field Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow |
White-throated Sparrow |
| White-crowned Sparrow |
Downy Woodpecker |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker |
Hairy Woodpecker |
| Pileated Woodpecker |
Northern Cardinal |
| Eastern Phoebe |
Dark-eyed Junco |
| Blue Jay |
Red-winged Blackbird |
| American Crow |
Rusty Blackbird |
| Fish Crow |
Common Grackle |
| Tree Swallow |
Brown-headed Cowbird |
| Carolina Chickadee |
House Finch |
| Tufted Titmouse |
American Goldfinch |
| White-breasted Nuthatch |
House Sparrow |
| Brown Creeper |
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Thanks to all participants!
Ron Polniaszek
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