Birding on a Misty Day

Well, it wasn't misty when I went out, but by the time I came back in, the mist was falling quite heavily. Around 8:00, I left and walked out to the woods. Things started out pretty slowly. About 8:45, birds were everywhere! A female Hooded Warbler was hopping around in the tangles of yaupon and tri-foliate orange trees. A male American Redstart showed up in the trees above the Hooded Warbler and showed off his black and orange plumage for a little bit. A Black-and-white Warbler examined the branches for something to eat. An Eastern Wood-Pewee showed off his flycatching skills. Birds were singing everywhere - cardinals, White-eyed Vireos, Carolina Wrens and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. A little while later, I was watching several Yellow-rumped Warblers. A Yellow-throated Warbler was in the trees with them. Today was the day of the Indigo Bunting. They were everywhere! On my way to the pond, several Bank Swallows flew over mixed with Barn, Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows.

I added a new property species today! A Boat-tailed Grackle was calling at the pond. I found him and saw the dark eye. He makes property bird #176.

One of the more interesting observations this morning involved a large flock of female Red-winged Blackbirds. They kept flying in a tight flock and I could tell they were nervous about something. Suddenly, a Cooper's Hawk flew in and snatched one of the blackbirds. The blackbird screeched all the way to the ground. The hawk quickly killed the blackbird and started tearing the feathers out. I watched for about ten minutes until the hawk flew off with the blackbird in its talons.

Birds Seen (41 Species): Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Upland Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow (FOS), Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler (FOS), Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart (FOS), Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle