After working at my desk all morning and into the early afternoon, I needed to get out for some fresh air and exercise, so I headed over to the trail and arrived shortly after 3:00. It was in the upper 40's, but the wind made it feel a bit cooler, and many of the smaller birds were either hunkered down, or only out in sheltered areas. I ended up with 20 species in about an hour, but it was a female Northern Harrier that made my day.
I passed the first wooden bridge on the Glenthorne Loop trail, and was heading for the bog area, when I changed my mind and headed back to the bridge to see if there was anything of interest on the east side of Reids Creek. I was not disappointed. I saw a female Northern Harrier cruising south only a few feet off of the ground looking for a late afternoon snack. She flew all the way to the small pond, and then circled back toward me.
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
The harrier was heading right towards me. I assume that she was focused on looking for a meal and did not notice me until she was almost right in front of me - and then she put on the brakes, and headed north, keeping her eye on me all the way until she was out of view.
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
Female Northern Harrier
This afternoon's list (20 species):
Eastern Bluebird Carolina Wren Northern Mockingbird Northern Cardinal Yellow-rumped Warbler | Field Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco American Goldfinch Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Harrier Rock Pigeon Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Black Vulture Turkey Vulture |