This morning I participated in the Annual Migratory Bird Census at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Preserve Manager, Zane Miller, guided the walk along with two other expert birders. Together we documented at least 41 different species. Some of the highlights included a worm-eating warbler who serenaded us as he sang out in the open on a sparce tree branch. Another treat was a beautiful symphony of Tennessee Warbler, Ovenbirds, Wood Thrush, American Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo. I added a few new lifers to my east coast list. The more time I spend listening, the more I’m learning to make confident auditory identifications. It was a great opportunity to be in the company of these experts. The census went from 7:30 am until about 11:30 am. Afterwards I spent another two hours hiking the hills and listening. I was happy to capture a photo of a Pileated Woodpecker using his very long tongue to get insects out of a dead tree.
Some of the birds we either saw or heard today are as follows:
Canada Goose, Mourning Dove, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Tree Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Black-throated Green Warbler
You can view more of my birding checklists on eBird.
