Birding in a Howling Wind

In the wake of a cold front, the wind was absolutely howling this morning. The temperature when I went out birding was 41 and the windchill was near freezing. My weather station consistently showed wind speeds between 20 and 25 mph, and I know there were higher gusts that were not recorded. I bundled up and went down to the woods. The birds must have had more sense than I did! They were not very active at all and must have been hunkered down. The only birds that seemed to enjoy the high wind were the vultures that were flying overhead. A few cardinals were singing, as were a few Carolina Wrens. Only one White-eyed Vireo was singing this morning. There are still several Yellow-rumped Warblers around.

I did add a new bird for the year - a Field Sparrow. There were several of them along the fence behind the house. I kept chasing them as I walked to the woods, and I got several good looks at them.

The Northern Parula must have been either moving on the other day or he saw no point in singing this morning. He was no where to be found. Maybe with the temperature and north wind, he decided that no other parulas would be around and just found a warm place to sit until the wind subsides.

Species seen today (27 species): Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch

'08 Property List as of March 7: 61
'04 Property List as of March 7: 55