NASWC Bird Walk

8 of us met at the Parmer Village model homes this morning for the June NASWC Bird walk. Overcast skies and a refreshing breeze offered some respite from a very warm and humid morning. The birding was slow but we managed to find 30 species of birds. We also enjoyed identifying other animals and plants we found along the trail. It's very satisfying to me that our regular bird walk attendees have knowledge spanning plants and insects as well as birds. Here are some highlights from this morning's walk.

• At the beginning and end of the walk we got quick looks at a flying Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Seen perched, this species seems slightly hunched over and inconspicuous. But in flight its elegance and grace stands out.
• Several male Red-winged Blackbirds were singing and showing off their red and yellow shoulder patches in the reeds by the Parmer Village drainage pond.
• This female White-tailed Deer flushed from the creek bed and ran across to the opposite bank before turning to watch us. It was among a lot of Horsemint -- one of the most numerous wild flowers along the trail right now.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• This Blue Dasher Dragonfly was one of several different species we could identify along the creek. Some others were the pink Roseate Skimmers and a possible female Widow Skimmer (which is a beautiful combination of black and gold).
  
  
  
  
  
  
• On the creek we saw these 6 species of herons and egrets: Green Heron, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.
• Also on the creek we saw this large turtle walking away from us that turned out to be a River Cooter, distinguished from the much more common Red-eared Sliders here by the vertical yellow stripe on its cheek (instead of a red cheek patch).
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Right by this turtle we were thrilled to see a Blotched Water Snake casually swimming downstream.
• There were many butterflies out this morning and I got this photo of a Viceroy butterfly on the trail by the T & C soccer fields. Nearby were 2 small Soapberry Hairstreaks.