Ornithology Field Trip 09/24/11

Ornithology Field Trip 09/24/11

On today's Ornithology field trip the BIOS 471 class went birdwatching at Lake Hope. All birds aside, Lake Hope is an absolutely gorgous place just to be, and with today's cool breeze and sun filled skys the lilipad laden lake was a wonderful way to spend a morning. However, today's mission was to observe and record the various bird species fluttering amoungst the expanses of sycamores, and maples. And observe and record we did! The diversity of new world dinosaurs spotted today was well into the double digits at just under 30. The first sighting was a Magnolia Warbler. Its golden belly, white rump, and black flank lines were truly memorable, bu not as memorable the Gray Catbird. Over and over I laughed inside as it let off "meow" after "meow". As we moved along to the border of Lake Hope and Zaleski State Forest we came to a small openning next to a bridge. This area was littered with many different flying reptiles, it was almost as if they came to us. We saw Rosebreasted Grosbeaks, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Cardinals, American Robins, more Magnolias and Catbirds, a Butterbutt, and I even thought I saw a pair Eastern Towhees fly around the brush. I enjoyed being in the peaceful tranquility of the place, having nothing to do but admire the birds for what they were, and to take in their essence. As we moved along on our journey through the park we saw a Tufted Titmouse, Bluejay, and a Cerulean Warbler and as the rest of the class moved forward on the trail I stayed behind and watch a Great Blue Heron circle the lake an perch on a dead tree. But it was the sighting on the lake that was my favorite of the day- the four Wood ducks swimming amongst the lilipads. Unfortunately the sighting was over to quickly, I wish the moment would have extended itself until I was ready to move on. It was at that point, after we watched a Green Heron on the bank, that we decided it was time to go find some Readheaded Woodpeckers. We watched them dance throughout the sprigs that were spread throughout the forest. Overall today was a very good day to go bird watching. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Being with good people who enjoy nature and it's many wonderful creatures is something I don't think I will ever grow tired of.