QAS Audubon walk in the Park - Feb 19

With the beautiful weather we had the last few days, if was a prefect time to have our Audubon walk in the Union Canal Park today as part of the Great Backyard Bird count, with temps in the high 60's...in mid February. 

We started the walk at 2pm, with 16 participants, at first we didn't have much bird activity....a few tufted titmouse, Carolina wrens and cardinals.

Northern Cardinal

As we traversed the woodlot, we added a few species including red-tailed Hawk, White Breasted nuthatch, and heard the call of the Pileated Woodpecker - which exluded us for the entire trip - although we heard it calling several more times.

Red Tailed Hawk soaring

Upon entering the meadow at the top of the trai woodlot, we enjoyed watching the Bluebirds, and several Red bellied Woodpeckers...and a 2nd Red Tailed Hawk soaring overhead.

Eastern Bluebird

As we continue along the trail, a member of group spotted a small bird among the undergrowth..at first it was thought to be a kinglet, but upon a closer look by several members of the group - at the dull yellow green drab species, with a small black bill, slight eye strip and yellow under the tail -
 the ID was confirmed as an Orange-Crowned warbler...a real surprise for this time our area at this time of the year. Needless to say, everyone in the group was quite excited about viewing this species...and for several participants it was a life bird (no photo taken).

Orange Crowned Warbler - ID

We continue, to the end of end of the walk, after 2 1/2 hours with a total count of 21 species..but the Orange Crowned Warbler made the trip a memorable one for many in the group - myself included.

Until next time - good birding