[Birdtalk] Farmington Bay

[MarJean Muhlestein]

I have been doing several field trips with the schools lately at Farmington Bay. On Thursday after we had finished with the trips, I decided to go out again. I was surprised seeing a DOWNY WOODPECKER in the trees by the offices. I've seen Northern Flickers in that area before, but this was a first on the Downy. AMERICAN KESTRELS were hunting. 
Rounding the first corner in the Olive trees, there were several RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS.
Up on Goose Egg Island there was one lonely YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER among many DARK-EYED JUNCO'S.
The PINTAIL DUCKS, GADWALL, and COOTS were plentiful. It was nice to see some AMERICAN WIGION, and NORTHERN SHOVELER mixed in.
A surprise was one lonely HORNED GREBE, near the shoreline along the causeway, just a little ways after the bridge with the fake owls. There are several WESTERN GREBES, and PIED-BILLED GREBES as well. PHEASANT pop out here and there. The AMERICAN PELICAN'S have diminished greatly in the last week.
When I was taking the school kids out, I was puzzled over what looked like an AMERICAN BITTERN spring up out of the reeds, and fly in front of the bus. Initially I thought GBH, but it wasn't the right size. When I returned and told Deedee O'brien my sighting, she mentioned Night Heron as a possible, but the structure, and coloring wasn't quite right for a Night Heron. I think it was a Bittern, but I'm perplexed why it would still be hanging around going into fall, just a late one I guess.
There are at least 6 to 7 RED-TAILED HAWKS posted on the phone poles going down Glover Lane. Many NORTHERN HARRIER'S as well. Morning is the best time to see the activity, by noon it slows down a lot.

MarJean Muhlestein
"Oh the Joy of Birding"
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