07 May Field Trip Report – Spring Lake Park May 1, 2025
This morning at Spring Lake, 7 participants identified 29 species of birds, tallying 118 individual birds. Conditions were chilly and cloudy. A threat of rain prevented us from carrying cameras. However, it didn’t actually rain, just a sprinkle at the end.
The morning started right off with many Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Goldfinch. Mel spotted a Black-and-White Warbler mixed in with the Yellow-rumps. We all got to see it. Next to the platform was an Eastern Kingbird who flew closer to the water and sallied from there. A Green Heron flew in and perched on a tree across the lake. It never settled for long, moving to a different perch. Later on, it perched quite near us. We heard a loon in the distance.
The Black-capped Chickadees were as cooperative as ever. We even spotted a chickadee using a nest hole in a tree at the end of the boardwalk. We’ll keep an eye on it this season.
On Mud Lake, a pair of Mute Swans were engaged in mating behavior. A solitary Sandhill Crane was strolling in the marshy area just off the trail.
The trail to Round Lake was open and cleared of debris. (When we scouted yesterday, this portion was closed and they were still cleaning up from the ice storm). A Common Loon was swimming in Round Lake. A Caspian Tern flew over us on our walk back to the parking area.
Big thanks to Sue for doing the e-bird tally. View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S176548555