ACES Morning Birding at Hallam Lake 07/28/26

The osprey family was very vocal this morning and we discovered that the two chicks have fledged! The youngsters are still base-camping from the nest platform, but they are making forays out into the preserve and beyond regularly. We enjoyed watching one of the chicks as it flew around over Hallam Lake, using a low snag as a perch between flights. It was a treat to see this brief life stage when these birds of prey are gaining strength and finesse with flight and starting to attempt hunting for themselves. Other highlights included excellent views of a male rufous hummingbird, other hummingbirds feasting on swarms of insects, a family of kingfishers actively hunting on the lake, and cedar waxwings feeding on ripening fruits. We noted the recent shift in the breeding season, with a decrease in singing and a major increase in fledglings and birds gathering into flocks. Join us later this week for hummingbird studies to learn about these small wonders!