On that warm weekend nearly three weeks ago – I write this as we chill again after a bit of April Snow yesterday morning and into freezing overnight – I went to McGinnis Slough for a few birds and was greeted by a lot of singing in the sunshine. Thankfully, there was not a lot of traffic noise from LaGrange Road. The primary contributors to the recording are Red-Winged Blackbird males.
This time I got to see one of the Sandhill Cranes that I missed the weekend before. I have to wonder if they are nesting there…
No shortage of Red-Winged Blackbirds showing off.
And not showing off…
A male Wood Duck managed to swim by my lens.
Northern Cardinals didn’t offer many looks, but I managed to add these two for the record.
The iridescence of this Common Grackle’s neck caught my eye first.
This was the best I could do for a Song Sparrow, even though I heard a few singing. The song of one is below the picture.
This view overlooking a part of the slough perhaps conveys the feeling evoked by the toad chorus below it.
Never at a loss for American Coots this time of year. But I was most impressed with the one standing on a log poking out of the water, preening and showing off its pretty green legs.
Mallards… one hen very comfortable in her chosen spot.
It wouldn’t be an authentic visit to the Slough without a Great Blue Heron flying somewhere.
I was excited to see an Osprey, however briefly.
One male Blue-Winged Teal was close enough to capture.
Perhaps my most thrilling bird sighting that day was this lone Tree Swallow. It was actually warm enough for it to catch bugs in the air.
I always have hope to be back to this page sooner than later. Here’s to more sunshine, warmer weather and more reasons to treasure longer days while they last.
I played all the sound clips at the same time and they made a lovely noise!
I didn’t know that was possible! You’re a conductor too…!
I didn’t know if one would stop when I played the other but they just kept going.
Nice bunch of beautiful birds, Lisa. This morning we were at 32º F. we’re through a cold spell. My flowers and new buds are ruined by low temperatures. 🙂
It’s hard to “like” your response – I am so sorry for your flowers. We had freezing temps too but it’s hard for me to tell just how much went with it. I hope your buds recover…they might. ? We are supposed to warm up next week but we’re still in and out of the 30’s overnight. More like March than April.
Enjoyed the recordings, especially the toads.
Thanks – yes, I love the toads too, such an atmospheric out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere sound – albeit in the burbs.