June 21, Monthly Birdwalk with "EXTENDED" birdwalk in search of Blue Grosbeak & Lark Sparrow.

Members, Su, Steve, Sue, Winnie, Roseanne, Roger, Barb and Ron were joined by visitors Andy, Linda and Myra for our June birdwalk at TWC. With comfortable weather, we started out on the Pond trail with sightings of Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a very vocal Catbird and a Wood Thrush singing in the distance – what a morning! With around 40+ species we were going to head out for breakfast when Su told us that she had seen a Yellow-breasted Chat the day before while leading her class (volunteer naturalists) on a birdwalk along the prairie, so we thought we would try to find it before our trip to the Amish Door for brunch. I got a good look, but it was for a very short time (we did get to hear one a couple more places during the day). See the TWC Bird Lists page for the entire list.
    After a tasty repast at The Amish Door, where we were joined by Pat, we left Barb, Ron, Andy and Linda and went off in search of the Lark Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak. Through Dundee to Copperhead Road – at the corner of Stingy Rd. and Leighey Hill Rd. -  after hearing and seeing lots and lots of Indigo Buntings (the bird of the day), Su spotted the Blue Grosbeak next to an Indigo (great comparison). He stayed for a short time, so most got a look. A Field Sparrow sang the entire time but never showed himself. NO LARK SPARROW. Then on to Dundee Fields where we saw and heard Prairie Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow, along with a singing Chat and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 
    We added to our list: Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Turkey, Eastern Kingbird, Orchard Oriole, Chimney Swift, Grasshopper Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, and the last group (Su, Sue, Winnie and Roger) stopped off at Beach City Dam where they saw an immature Bald Eagle and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Steve left as at Dundee Fields to go back to Stingy Rd. for more photo ops with the Grosbeak, etc. 
    Species for the day totalled 53!!