Eastern Bluebirds
It was quite warm here today, but also very windy. I decided to hike close to home, and started out at the soccer field and nearby fields/woods. Birds were getting ready for the breeding season. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds had found a bird box for nesting.
Eastern Bluebirds
Nearby, a pair of Northern Flickers were foraging. Note the massive malar (moustache) on the male.
Female and male Northern Flickers
There quite a few sparrows out, and I saw at least three Swamp Sparrows.
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
My FOS Red-winged Blackbird here at Old Trail was singing for mate.
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Mockingbird
There are a resident pair of Red-shouldered Hawks here at Old Trail. One is an adult, and the other is just getting its adult plumage. I saw a large flock of American Crows, and when some of them landed in a tree, I heard a hawk calling loudly. The crows were sitting quietly and weren't making their usual harassment calls, but I finally saw the younger Red-shouldered Hawk in an adjacent tree. When I got closer for a photo, the hawk took off with the crows in pursuit.
Red-shouldered Hawk and American Crows
Red-shouldered Hawk
At this point, I had 21 avian species for this morning's hike, and headed over to the golf course pond, where I added two more species: House Finch and Canada Goose. As I was walking back to my car, I walked about ten feet from the adult Red-shouldered Hawk, but never saw it until it flew away.
House Finch