May 29, 2012 Union Bay Natural Area Bird Tour
Today my class went on a bird watching tour. This was around 3:30pm, and the weather was warm but cloudy. We all tried to be silent occasionally and when we did, we could hear the chirps of a Song Sparrow. There were quite a few Red-winged blackbirds out that day, and I was able to walk quite close to one that was perched at the top of a tree. It sat there for quite awhile and would chirp near constantly then let out a three tone call that to me resembles a train whistle. There were many mallard ducks swimming in a shallow pond nestled in the middle of the UBNA, and at one point a female mallard came close to shore with a baby mallard duck that was no bigger than my fist. When the baby duck hit the shore it did not slow down but continued on at the same pace as if it were still swimming. Along the edge of the bond was what I originally thought was deadly nightshade, but later identified as bittersweet, which is still part of the nightshade family but not as deadly.
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
Bittersweet, Solanum dulcamara
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)Observer
andymjDescription
There was a growth of bittersweet nightshade growing along the bank of the pond. It was in full flower, and the stems were a dark brown/purple.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)Observer
andymjDescription
There was a male and a female mallard pruning their feathers by the edge of the pond. Every once in awhile a mother mallard duck would bring over her duckling to the shore.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)Observer
andymjDescription
This bird's-foot trefoil was growing along the edge of the path that takes you out of the UBNA. It was in full bloom with brilliant yellow flowers in a unique crown-like design.
Photos / Sounds
What
New World Blackbirds and Orioles (Family Icteridae)Observer
andymjDescription
This red-winged blackbird was sitting in a tree alone. It would call out every once in a while in a call that to me sounded like a train-whistle with a slightly hoarse ending. Then it would make shord chirping noises frequently.
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