4/18/15 Swan Point Walk

On April 18, I was joined by 14 participants for the first Swan Point walk of the season.

We were treated to a great mix of early spring arrivals, late winter migrants, breeding species and learned about where to concentrate efforts to find certain species throughout migration. To do this, we learned how to ID key species of trees and plants, habitats and where certain species will feed and why.

Early spring arrivals included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Pine Warbler.

Late winter migrants found were Bufflehead, junco and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, US-RI
Apr 18, 2015 7:50 AM - 11:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.2 mile(s)
Leader: Dan Berard
Comments:     First OSBC Swan Point Trip of the spring for early migrants and tree and habitat ID 

45 species

• Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  10     Estimate
  
• Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  20     Estimate
  
• American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  3
  
• Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  9
  
• Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  37     Estimate
  
• Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)  140     Estimate: several medium sized flocks over head and a large flock on the river
  
• Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
  
• Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
  
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  2
  
• Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  2     Possibly more
  
• Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  3
  
• Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  10     Rough estimate
  
• Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  5     Rough estimate
  
• Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  6
  
• Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)  2
  
• Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
  
• Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  3
  
• Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus auratus/luteus)  4
  
• Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
  
• Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  2
  
• Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  5
  
• American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  7
  
• Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  2
  
• Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
  
• Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  8
  
• Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  6     Estimate
  
• White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  5     Estimate
  
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  1     Likely more
  
• Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  1
  
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  2     Possibly more
  

• Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  2
  
• American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  10     Estimate: found 3 active nests
  
• European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  6     Estimate
  
• Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)  1
  
• Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)  3
  
• Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  6     Estimate
  
• White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  5
  
• Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  1
  
• Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  2
  
• Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  6     Rough estimate
  
• Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  3     Rough estimate
  
• Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  6     Rough estimate
  
• House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
  
• American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  3
  
• House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  2
  


• View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22923029