Local Stuff (09-10May2020)

After a cold front with NW winds things can get interesting in Wilmington in the Spring.  What I mean by interesting is we might get 1-2 migrating warblers instead of zero.  Of course we have good breeding warblers like Hooded and Swainson's, but otherwise 99% of migrating warblers completely bypass us.

First a couple local trips to the ponds and beach..



Ashley High School Pond has been hosting this Glossy Ibis.





At Fort Fisher they finally opened the spit to driving which is awesome for me as I love to take a drive on the beach although I am torn about what it does to the inhabitants.  I try to stick to the ruts and when there is a flock of birds I take a wide berth even while watching the local yahoos tearing through with little regard.

Whimbrel

Semipalmated Plover

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-bellied Plover

Semipalmated Sandpiper and Dunlin

In May I have a Common Nighthawk honey hole where I can usually find one or two resting on the back beach.  I can get quite close without flushing them if I move really slow.  This one never flushed.

Wilson' Plover

Semipalmated SP and Plovers

I have seen a ton of Gull-billed Terns but have not had a good photo opportunity yet.

Before work I usually have enough time to head to Wade Park since its only a mile to two from my house.

Acadian Flycatcher at Wade!

Chimney Swift

Meanwhile Airlie Gardens has opened!

American Redstart!  Not sure if this is considered a migrant or breeder.  I think they do breed in small numbers on the coastal plain.

 Swainson's Thrush in the spring is a good find.

Blackpoll Warbler!!  A good bird for Wilmington in the Spring.  This one a male.

And a female!

Three of my favorite things in life: Blackpolls, Spanish Moss and Live Oaks.

Painted Bunting

Baby Northern Parula!  I can't believe how fast these suckers breed, hatch and are flying around already.

Solitary Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Momma or Poppa Parula

Blackpoll

Least Sandpipers can befuddle when they are alone with nothing to compare them against.

This Parula had a little kink in the bill that made him look like Gonzo from the muppets.

 Since that day on the 10th pickings have been slim locally..

Spring Fling Part Tres (02-08May2020)

Ahhhhh, I love Spring!  The birds are singing, the sun is shining and I feel reinvigorated.  I have been making some day trips to the triangle area to get some migrants as Wilmington migration sucks.  Don't worry dear readers, I am staying smart and careful. White Deer Park in the Garner area had a couple of good recent reports so I headed up there for the day on the 2nd.



Black-and-white Warbler

There was a ton of activity but many of the birds were deep in the understory so the photo ops were not great.

Swainson's Thrush

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Swainson's again

Ovenbird

Black-throated Blue Warbler

American Goldfinch

Scarlet Tanager

It was so beautiful out that I could not resist some more exploring so I headed to Brickhouse Rd north of Durham.  A great spot but it had heated up and the birds were not very active.



I did find a Yellow-throated Vireo on nest which was singing from the nest.  I thought that was a bit weird.  You can just see her head poking out here.



Tree Swallow

Great Crested Flycatcher

Finally on the way home I stopped by Mid Pines and Chi Rd in Raleigh area.

Eastern Kingbird

Mississippi Kite

Bobolinks!

Back home on Sunday, I headed to Holly Shelter for a couple hours while running an errand at Pender Pines Nursery.

Bachman's Sparrow

Eastern Kingbird

Swainson's Warbler

Bachman's Sparrow

The next week I headed back up to the triangle area again as the migrant pull was too strong to ignore.  This time I headed to Mial Plantation Rd of the Neuse River.



Goldfinch

At the time, I noted this Tanager as a Scarlet, but the bill was super orange looking so I am wondering could it be a Western Tanager?

Unfortunately I did not get a good look at wing bars as I had only from underneath or back shots.

Acadian Flycatcher

White-eyed Vireo was some dragonfly parts.

This Swamp Sparrow flagged as rare.

Cliff Swallow

Yellow-throated Vireo

American Redstart

Question Mark?

Baby Phoebe

Swainson's Warbler - apparently rare up in the triangle.

Redstart

Black Ratsnake

Mississippi Kite

Finally I ended the day at a wetland park west of Raleigh called Crabtree Creek.

Blue-gray Gnattie

Wilson's Warbler 

Downy Woodpecker

This Willow Flycatcher was calling and I will be posting some audio to my eBird checklist.  

Prothonotary Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Phoebe

Yellow-rumped Warbler looking snappy.

Common Grackle

Bank Swallow - I tried hard to get some better pics but it would not stay still and was mixing with Trees, Barns and Rough-winged.  You can just see the white wrapping around the auriculars and the breast band just atop the wingline.

Here you can see the breastband.  I know, horrible photo but these are not easy birds to photograph.

Northern Parula

Pileated Woodpecker

Willow Flycatcher again.

Blue Jay

Common Grackle

Great times..