May, There Be Wind - 02 May 2021

Friday, April 30th came and brought the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird to the yard. I had just replaced nectar w/ fresh so my timing was spot on!

Yesterday, Robin and I took a ride down to Wm Sterling State Park in Monroe Co. to walk the bike trail. Winds were howling, and we could barely hear each other speak. But, a few birds were about and I managed to get some spring migrants. 

Tree Swallows are nesting along the canals. Birds were flying, but mostly hunkering down on branches.

The Bald Eagle nest had one adult sitting on a branch over the canal. Several people were photographing it from across the channel. I didn't want to bother them or the eagle. Instead, I grabbed a few photos of a Great Egret in the channel just up the way.

On the way back I found a singing Yellow Warbler. It cooperated for a few moments as I approached, then flew off. A second bird was across the trail in low brush.

An American Robin pair were in the grass, and as I followed on bird it perched nicely on a low snag and offered some wonderful views.

As we returned to the car I spotted a Lesser Yellowlegs foraging in the mudflats next to the parking lot so I spent a few minutes following a gorgeous bird in alternate plumage. The Sony a1 and 200-600/5.6-6.3 + 1.4TC worked wonderfully!

This morning I found the first pair of White-crowned Sparrows. Winds are still blowing hard from the SW and sweeping up through the Great Lakes. Rain is forecasted for the next few days so I'm hoping to head to Erie Marsh Preserve this evening to look for Wilson's Phalaropes that were reported this morning.