May 12th International Migratory Bird Day A Success

Northern Parula Warbler from Nancy and Blackburnian Warbler from Pat Saturday May 12th was International Migratory Bird Day. It was the first time that a number of us gathered at Rosetta McClain Gardens to celebrate. Walter and I arrived pre-7am and began by scouring the lake. Before long our birding friends began to arrive. Betty,Pat,Nancy,Carol,Berle, and Bob joined us for several hours of watching birds and enjoying one anothers company. Phil stopped in with his children briefly too. 55 species of birds were seen in total. We enjoyed the challange of spotting as many warbler species as possible. Warbler species seen included Black and White, Northern Parula, Tennesee, Yellow, Yellow Rumped, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Palm, American Redstart, Ovenbird and the very beautiful Blackburnian. Hermit Thrush and Veery were spotted in the shadows. An Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood Pewee and Eastern Kingbird were all seen. A Least Flycatcher and Red-eyed Vireo were spied too. The beautifully coloured Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager were seen enjoying the clouds of midges swarming around the park. One unique sighting some of us caught was an American Kestrel snagging its breakfast. It grabbed a Bank Swallow from the air and sped away being mobbed by a large number of the colony. It was a beautiful day to enjoy all the spring had to offer us. I do hope Bob will send along a few photos. Thanks to the gang for coming out and sharing the morning with Walter and I. Rosetta McClain Gardens rarely disappoints us. Several years ago in the fall, the last family to live on the parks property visited and were thrilled to see that folks were using their families gift to the city to view birds. When they called Rosetta McClain Gardens home, they enjoyed Warbler watching just as we all did on Saturday. Thanks to the generous gift from their relatives, we will have this beautiful little park to enjoy in all seasons for many years to come! See you again soon gang!