Middle Creek visit after Spring snow - March 23

I decided to make a visit to Middle Creek today - the 2 days after the first day of Spring nor-easter. As expected the tour road was closed as well as the boat launch area..but otherwise everything was operational. The roads where clear, and the snow is melting away.

I started my visit by stopping at the visitors center to see if and when the tour road would be opened again...typical of the game commission - they had no idea or at least would no commit to anything. The feeders where active and I tallied 11 species before I left....and proceeded to stop 1 and the lake.

White Throated Sparrow

On the lake where Common Merganser's, Ruddy Ducks, Coot and Black Ducks. On the pond across the road from the lake where mostly Ring Necked Ducks and a single Bufflehead.

Bufflehead

 

Also sitting near the edge of the pond was a Red Shouldered Hawk.

Red Shouldered Hawk

As I moved to my next location, I looked out over the lake and saw about 20,000 Snow Geese still there....the numbers have dropped but it was still an impressive site. I pulled over to the side of the roadway, near a flooded area, that had held Wilson's Snipe in the pass. I scanned the area...and sure enough...caught some movement....as it turned out there where 5 Wilson's snipe foraging along the 'shoreline'. I watched them for quite a while..as I don't get to see them very often a Middle Creek or elsewhere for that matter..a real treat.

Wilson's Snipe - look at center near edge of weeds.

2 Wilson's Snipe..look at center edge of weeds near the water line.

I left with a species count of 36 for the 2 1/2 hour visit.

Until next time - good birding

Not all the wander are lost