A Stop at INWR
Published: July 27, 2013
Tags: Parks and Preserves, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Warbling Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, American Coot, Common Gallinule, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron
In order to do some upcoming volunteer work at
INWR, I had to stop by their office and fill out some paperwork. And since I was out there... well... I just HAD to do a little birding.

There was nothing outstanding that presented itself today, but I did get some better-than-average views of a nice variety of species, especially of a family of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a family of Eastern Bluebirds, and a young Warbling Vireo. My most memorable view of the day, though, was of a Common Gallinule (Moorhen). I never got the photo because I was too startled to lift the camera as I flushed the bird when I got close to where it was hiding in a marshy area. It left with quite a squawk and I just may have squawked as well! I've never been that close to a gallinule before and, in spite of the scare, it was pretty neat. I heard it making some cool noises in the reeds, but I never got another glimpse of it.
I also took a few distant photos of a "mystery" bird, which later proved to be a juvenile Brown Thrasher. The young bird was poking around in a grassy area, much like a thrush, which confused me. When I referenced the bird, though, Brown Thrashers DO look for insects on the ground, tossing dead leaves around with their curved bills. They are also very secretive birds, apparently, and their numbers are decreasing in many areas. This is becoming a concern for ornithologists because right now, they're not sure why they're in decline.

Young Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Warbling Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Green Heron

Swamp Sparrow

Alder/Willow Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Common Yellowthroat

Cedar Waxwing

American Redstart (female)

American Redstart (female)

Yellow Warbler (female)

A poor photo of a juvenile Brown Thrasher - I thought it was neat to see this young guy foraging out in the open grass.

A Purple Martin flying overhead

Tree Swallow with an insect

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Wood Duck hen

American Coot

Although a reed blew in the way, you can see the huge, green, lobed feet in this shot

White Admiral

Eastern Comma (?)

Blue Dasher

Female Eastern Pondhawk (thanks, Willie!)

Male Eastern Pondhawk (thanks, Willie!)

Apparently, a female Blue Dasher. The detail on this gal turned out especially clear. To view the original,
click here »