Early summer is a spectacular time at Hallam Lake, with vibrant green foliage and a robust morning chorus of birdsong. We enjoyed views of recently fledged goslings and ducklings and pair bonding behaviors among cedar waxwings. Kinglets foraged at the tips of spruce boughs overhead at the viewing platform, and red-winged blackbirds called from the cattail marsh. Yellow warblers darted in the willows, singing while perched and in flight. The osprey pair was active at their nest, where we saw them exchange positions. We guessed that they must be brooding chicks at this point in mid June, but did not observe any feeding while we were watching. The heron chicks are getting very big and looking crowded in their nests above the lake. We saw adult great blue herons fly over a couple of times, while the chicks watched attentively. Swallows fed on insects over the lake, often flying very low and skimming the water for a drink. We were able to see their colors and particular field marks well. It was a relaxing morning among the birds and the beauty. Join us this Friday for Birding and Conversation on a hike through the burn at Basalt Mountain with special guest Adam McCurdy, ACES’ Forest and Climate Director.