Morning Birding at Hallam Lake Species List

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Tuesday, April 6, 2021 8:00AM – 11:00AM
Weather:  Mixed spring weather, mostly sunny
Location: Hallam Lake

Comments:

 

Today’s top highlight was the return of the osprey pair to the nesting platform above Hallam Lake.  The birds were first seen on April 3rd, a date we will keep in mind for next year when we will expect to see them return again.  The ospreys were breaking off dead sticks from treetops and carrying them to the nest.  We also saw them actively hunting over the lake and we were thrilled to be able to watch one of them eat a fish.  We will continue to watch this pair and are hoping that this will be a successful nesting year for them.  Canada geese are incubating eggs on nests throughout the preserve, and song sparrows are singing in earnest as they establish their territories.  Spring is a great time for good views of birds as the snow disappears from the land and new foliage has not yet begun to grow.  We were able to see activity through the bare branches of shrubs and trees, including a snipe in the willows and a small flock of pygmy nuthatches in the cottonwoods.  Today’s mini lesson focused on the Birdist’s Rule #10 which is to know what the birds are doing during the 12 months of the year.  April is when spring migration really starts to ramp up, so we have much to look forward to during the next few weeks!  Join us for Morning Birding at Rock Bottom Ranch on April 20th! 

Species List:

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
American Coot
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Gray Jay
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
American Robin
Pine Siskin
Song Sparrow
Common Grackle

 

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide

Photo by Dale Armstrong