We have started the 2015 Summer Walks with a great morning. Twelve people showed up at Ina Small’s wonderful farm in Litchfield on a very warm day. We started with Baltimore Orioles in her yard and ended with them as well (plus they were seen numerous times near the ponds) Can’t be a bad day with accommodating Orioles. We also watched a Warbling Vireo and an Eastern Kingbird each making a nest. And a Hairy Woodpecker disappeared into a hole. A very good day for nests. Should add the Canada Geese had at least three goslings and a pair of Spotted Sandpipers will undoubtedly be nesting there.

We especially want to thank Ina for her hospitality in allowing us to wonder about her property. She has so many feeders, maybe 20? all full. Birds were everywhere.

The 38 birds seen or heard (H) were:

Canada Goose – one or two pair with three young
Wood Duck – quick fly over
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper – pair
Ring-billed Gull – Staples
Rock Pigeon – Staples
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift – 2 over Staples
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee (H)
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher (H) often
Eastern Kingbird – at nest
Blue-headed Vireo (H)
Warbling Vireo – at nest
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallows – in nest boxes
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse (H)
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling – Staples
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler (H)
Black-and-white Warbler (H) called in multiple places, could not find
Ovenbird (H)
Common Yellowthroat (H) also called in multiple places, could not find
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird – many
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole – 4++?
American Goldfinch


Stan DeOrsey