Grasslands/Wetlands Series
Shaker Trace Wetlands/ Fernald Preserve
Part 2
It was really starting to warm up as I made my way to Fernald Preserve Saturday afternoon. I had already emptied my water bottle, and even though it wasn’t a very hot day the sun was unrelenting. The area I was hoping to bird in has no cover, and since Dickcissels, Blue Grosbeaks and Grasshopper Sparrows were my photographic target birds I had to go where the birds were. My time at Fernald was going to be short, due to the fact that I was meeting Kathy at her parent’s house for a late lunch. So I got truckin’ with my gear in tow.
Eastern Kingbirds will breed in open, grassy areas much like the habitat found at Fernald Preserve, however they can be found feeding in and around bodies of water, like this bird.
After leaving the Visitors Center behind, the open grasslands of Fernald open up on both sides of the trail. Being late morning and early afternoon I wasn’t sure how my luck would be on the Grasshopper Sparrow. In the past I’ve had pretty good luck with catching them perched on the end of a bush of branch singing away, however things were quieting down as I made my way out into the grasslands.
Dickcissels, Red-winged Black Birds, Eastern Bluebirds, Song Sparrows, Tree Swallows, Killdeers, and Eastern Meadowlarks were the dominate species seen. Only one Grasshopper Sparrow was spotted, and as I reacted to bring up my digiscoping rig the bird dove back into the tall grass never to be seen, or heard again.
An Eastern Bluebird guarding it’s nest box.
I watched this Brown Thrasher for several minutes as it went from one side of the trail to the next before it settled down on this nest box. And it never let go of whatever it has in it’s beak.
Eastern Meadowlark
As for my other target bird for the day, the Blue grosbeak, a lone bird perched on an electrical wire some distance away was my only consolation. Posting a photograph would only show a black speck on a wire. Not exactly what I was looking for.
As I walked further and further the heat and sun were taking its toll onme. So I found a shady spot and parked my butt and waited till my fatigue lapsed. Continued exploration of Fernald without water would have been a stupid mistake. So I wisely exercised my options and decided to head back to the car and search (in vain) for Grasshopper Sparrows along the way.
Dickcissel perched perfectly.
It was pretty much the same kind of bird activity as when I went out. I really do like early morning for when I’m looking for those reclusive sparrows. It’s not that you can’t find them, it’s just that I think they become less vocal, which in turn makes them more difficult to spot. When they sing I’ve noticed their teed up on the top of some vegetation where they’re easy to pick up.
Caught this one of many Cedar Waxwings that were feeding in a Mulberry Tree on the entrance road into Fernald Preserve.
As the appointed hour approached I reluctantly departed for the day. Notable birds for the day include:
- Great Egret
- Great Blue Heron
- Green Heron
- Mallard
- Wood Duck
- Blue-winged Teal
- Song Sparrow
- Chipping Sparrow
- Henslow’s Sparrow
- Field Sparrow
- Grasshopper Sparrow
- American Kestrel
- Turkey Vulture
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
- Eastern Bluebird
- Dickcissel
- Common Yellowthroat
- Brown thrasher
- Robin
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Common Grackle
- Red-winged Black Bird
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Tree Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Purple Martin
- Eastern Towhee
- Yellow-breasted Chat
- Yellow warbler
- Gray Catbird
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Blue Grosbeak
- Indigo Bunting
- Willow Flycatcher
- Eastern Kingbird
- Orchard Oriole
- Baltimore Oriole
- Chimney Swift
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Northern Cardinal
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- Cedar waxwing
- American Goldfinch
- American Kestrel
- Belted Kingfisher
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Common Crow
- Northern Mockingbird
- Killdeer
A Birder's Notebook 