Date: 20 Oct 2024
Leader: Joe Francis
Today’s DOS Afternoon bird walk at the Peterson Refuge was attended by seven birders. It was a remarkably warm day, topping off in the mid 70s, with largely clear blue skies. The migrant wave of the prior week had already passed through leaving considerably fewer total birds but still good numbers of sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Swamp Sparrows, though a challenge to see beyond a mere glimpse, were chipping throughout the marsh and began singing as the light subsided. Waterfowl were limited to Mallards and Canada Geese – high water kept the mudflats submerged so Teal were not seen. All but a few Wild Rice plants had already dropped their seeds so Redwings were less visible and fewer in number. Highlights included outstanding views of Belted Kingfisher, a late Great Egret, a fast-flying Merlin crossing the marsh with lethal determination, migrating cormorants in kettle formation, and a perched immature Red-shouldered Hawk at dusk that challenged our ability to identify by shape alone.