23 November - 29 November 2021

Dear fellow flock of birders,

On my walk in the Arb today I noticed that most of the trees had lost their leaves. Exceptions include some of the Oak Trees and the Beach Trees. The ponds are frozen over but the springs like Big Spring is open at the spring itself as well as the outflow with the water temperature at 50 to 55 degrees all winter.

What birds remain in the Arboretum? My list of species is shorter each day I walk. Oops, I just looked at my list and I did see 21 species which really is not bad. Many of the migrants have already left.

Last Tuesday we did see some good birds. Down at the Big Spring we did see 30 Mallards, 8 Gadwalls and a handsome male American Wigeon. A photo of a male American Wigeon is included. 

We also saw 2 Red-tailed Hawks. Every time I see a Red-tailed Hawk I wonder if it is one of the pair of adults that produced two offspring from its nest in the White Pines just northeast of the Visitor Center. Or could it be one of the two offspring that is now adult sized. There is nothing that identifies either so I don’t know. I have included a photo of a Red-tailed Hawk that appears to be looking at a partial moon.

We all got to see a Barred Owl who was perched in a tall Juniper in Juniper Knoll. This is the first time in a long time that it has perched there. If it behaves this year like it has in past years it often perches in those Junipers during the winter months. I took photos of the owl but there were so many branches in the way that I could not get a decent photo. I have included a much better photo that I took some time ago in the same location with fewer obstructing branches.

Just as three of us were leaving the Arb at the end of the bird walk we came across a flock of 40 to 50 American Crows that were all cawing as if they were harassing an owl or a hawk. We stopped to look but could not find the subject of the harassment. When that happens I always think it’s a bunch teenaged crows just acting up and making noise like teenagers do. While we were watching the crows, a Hermit Thrush appeared too. We do see an occasional Hermit Thrush during the winter months. They often feed on the Asian Bittersweet that is common in Lost City Forest.  A photo of a Hermit Thrush is included.

I have not seen “our family” of Sandhill Cranes (2 adults and 2 colts) for at least a week. I think they have either migrated south already or are gathering with others nearby to then migrate as a large flock together. Some birders told me that they had seen several hundred Sandhill Cranes at Nine Springs. In past years I’ve seen large numbers gather there too. Just yesterday I heard 2 flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying over and calling. I was able to see one flock of ten flying very high in the sky. I heard another flock but could not see it. When the Sandhill Cranes migrate they often fly high in large flocks and call too. On 19 Nov 2017 I and another birder, Kenny Younger, were birding on Longenecker Gardens. We heard Sandhill Cranes calling which signaled us to look up. We saw a large flock of Sandhills. Then another flock came flying over us calling. It was another large flock. Finally a third flock came over us calling. This time when we looked up something was different. We were amazed at what we saw. The flocked ever circled us overhead. It was one of those special birding moments. Instead of telling you what we saw I’ve included a photo of part of the flock. Can you figure out for yourselves what was special about this flock? This is a reminder. When you hear a flock of Sandhills this time of year, make sure you look up and check the flock carefully.

More Tundra Swans are arriving especially in University Bay. Today I saw 63 in the bay. There were white adults and gray young called cygnets. There are still more to come. Check out University Bay not only for Tundra Swans but also for other waterfowl.

Have you put up your holiday tree yet? Here’s an idea. I’m still seeing flocks of Cedar Waxwings. Today I saw 30 Cedar Waxwings. Several  ears ago I saw a Spruce Tree covered with Cedar Waxwings. I got a photo of the flock decorating the tree in December and thought that was a perfectly decorated holiday tree. So this year decorate your tree with birds. The photo of the Cedar Waxwing decoration is included.

There are still Red-breasted Nuthatches at the east end of the Pinetum. I was seeing 4 but today I only had 1 so maybe they are on the move too. A photo of one taking seeds from pinecones is included.

One of the winter birds that I’ve been seeing in Curtis Prairie is the American Tree Sparrow. Sometime they feed on seeds that fall on the pavement. One was doing that in the included photo.

That’s the bird report for the past week.

I wish you all good health and good birding too,

Chuck