Birds

• killdeer
• solitary sandpiper
• spotted sandpiper
• red-winged blackbird
• European starling
• eastern kingbird
• chipping sparrow
• black-capped chickadee
• American crow
• blue jay
• eastern meadowlark
• American robin
• song sparrow
• northern cardinal
• eastern bluebird
• yellow warbler
• Canada goose
• mallard
• hairy woodpecker
• mourning dove
• belted kingfisher
• orchard oriole
• white-crowned sparrow
• Baltimore oriole (male/female pair)
• gray catbird
• brown thrasher
• American goldfinch
• eastern phoebe
• pileated woodpecker
• osprey (2!)
• bobolink
• tufted titmouse
• barn swallow
• wood duck (male/female pair)
• wild turkey
• common yellowthroat
• willow flycatcher
• indigo bunting
• red-bellied woodpecker
• common merganser (female)
• ruby-throated hummingbird
• great blue heron
• black-throated green warbler*
• green heron
• purple finch
• house finch
• brown-headed cowbird
• white-breasted nuthatch
• eastern towhee
• common grackle
• house wren
• turkey vulture
• red-eyed vireo
• northern bobwhite

Other Wildlife

• turtles
• tiger swallowtail
• spring peepers
• bullfrog
• eastern cottontail
• groundhog
• chipmunk
• white-tailed deer
• green frog
• eastern gray squirrel
• fox squirrel

Notes:

• 1st: Observed spotted sandpiper "teetering" behavior while foraging.
• 2nd: Observed belted kingfisher catching and swallowing two fish (one bluegill, one unidentified.)
• 3rd: Observed two osprey circling the farm pond. (One was originally perched on the tip of the dead part of the old serviceberry tree.)
• 4th: Observed osprey with fish in talons perched on dead part of old serviceberry tree.
• 5th: Observed mourning doves calling back and forth to each other.
• 11th: A common merganser hen landed on the farm pond this morning and swam around for a while. Then, it climbed up on the log to preen, rest (even lay down!), and investigate a hole in the log by sticking its head down the hole. It even flew to the far end of the pond, landing briefly on a large knot in the big old tree at the far corner of the pond, before going back to swimming. It flew once again, but returned to the pond to continue feeding. To feed, the merganser dipped its face down in the water, leaving the rust-colored crest on top of its head sticking up above the surface of the water, and swim. Eventually, it took flight and circled the pond a few times before flying away.
• 12th: Heavy rains associated with pop-up thunderstorms brought minor flash flooding to the area, most noticeably the creek and the pond, but the driveway washed out quite a bit, too.
• 12th: Observed a tiger swallowtail butterfly missing the lower segment of its left wing (that is, if you were looking down on it.) Seemed to be feeding and flying well enough, though. So much perseverance from such a tiny, fragile creature! So much beauty, even in imperfection!
• 19th: Observed a chipping sparrow rubbing its head on a small branch. Later, watched two male chipping sparrows having a bit of a spat.
• 19th: Hung new hummingbird feeder and bird waterer on a double shepherd's hook near the clothesline bird feeders.
• 20th: Observed a green heron perched on the piece of the log nearest the far shore of the pond, hunched down and angled, as though stalking prey. I love the sound of a green heron! I heard this one long before I saw it fly in and land on the main part of the log. Also observed two robins having a bit of a spat.
• 20th: Yellow flags in bloom. May-apples budding, one open. Grasses coming into head. Abundant buttercups and forget-me-nots. Lilacs, bluets, and bittercress nearly done.
• 23rd: Observed male house finch feeding female or immature at cardinal feeder in backyard. Hummingbirds found hummingbird feeder!