Of Sapsuckers and Butterbutts

Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

American Robin Turdus migratorius

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus

Woodchuck/Groundhog/Siffleur Marmota monax

Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa

Parc Jean-Drapeau, April 11, 2021

  A solid 6-hour bimble at Parc Jean-Drapeau that featured a little bit of everything, bird-wise — plenty of first-of-year (FOY) birds, and a satisfying bite of early spring. It was a steadily birdy day, with each area of the park offering up a few species. The number 40 was put out there as a vague target to hit, and we came close at 38 species. It would be fun to push for something like 70 in about a month or so. Insert “I’m in!” meme here. I enjoy this slightly dystopian patch — there’s always lots of room there, and new forgotten corners to explore each time.

  The lovely mid-April birding session reminded me that I barely went out last spring. My stupid phone also helped remind me that it was two years ago to the day that I started my epic Yellow Sea island hopping spring jaunt on my sometimes home of Jeju Island. Sigh, to be on those islands again.

  A lone Yellow-rumped Warbler (Butterbutt) was spotted in the ‘Crossbill pines.’ It wasn’t vocalizing, and was hiding within a roiling cauldron of Dark-eyed Juncos, to make things interesting. The first warbler sighting of the year is usually an automatic ‘bird of the day,’ but there was a tie on this day with a bird of prey.

  A small falcon that went flashing past the casino had me thinking Merlin, until I got the bins on it and saw the vivid red-brown mantle and tail of a male American Kestrel. Sweet! First time I’ve ever seen the species so close to town.

  Lesser avian highlights included ‘all the sparrows,’ several Great Blue Herons showing the flashy nuptial plumes and bright breeding bill of the season, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker making fresh sap-holes (I liked how the pattern across its back mirrored the holes on the tree), and owl pellets found in several spots.

  Several Mourning Cloak (and a quick look at what was surely an Eastern Comma) were spotted when the sun punched through the haze.

  In other news, I’m officially paranoid about ticks, so I just ordered a bunch of crap that will hopefully keep me unticked.