Birding on Independence Pass Species List | July 16, 2015

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Thursday, June 18, 2015, 7AM – 3PM
Weather: sunny
Location: North Star Nature Preserve, Difficult Campground, Grottos, Braille Trail, Lower Lost Man, Top of Independence Pass

Species Identified
Canada Goose Mallard Great blue Heron Red-tailed Hawk Sora American Avocet Broad-tailed Hummingbird Red-naped Sapsucker Northern Flicker (pictured above) Western Wood-peewee Warbling Vireo Steller’s Jay		Black-billed Magpie American Crow Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Mountain Bluebird Swainson’s Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing MacGillivray’s Warbler		Yellow Warbler Green-tailed Towhee Chipping Sparrow Lark Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Western Tanager Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Pine Siskin

 

Comments:
Filled with exciting, high quality observations, the day began with lots of bird action at North Star Nature Preserve. Juveniles and parents were foraging actively, presenting us with excellent views of plumages, calls and behaviors, including mountain bluebirds, house finches, red-tailed hawks and house wrens. We also saw tree and violet-green swallows at active nest cavities.  Through these observations, we were able to experience the sensitive events that take place at North Star, and understand the value of this unique parcel of open space. At Difficult we had glimpses of MacGillivray’s warblers and shared birding resources and tools over lunch. Dr. Preece of University of Maryland shared the Nature Net project she helps direct at ACES, and how it engages the public in nature study, including birds and their habitats. We headed to the Pass next, where we observed an avocet on one of the ponds near the highway- a first for us at that location. The tundra was relatively quite bird-wise, but wildflowers were in full swing and a herd of 30+ mountain goats on a nearby peak were a thrill to watch.

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide