October Gold - 18 Oct 2025

 

Thunderstorms and high winds are in the forecast for this afternoon through tomorrow, so I wanted to get a walk completed at Elizabeth Park beforehand. I arrived in Trenton just before 9 am under mostly clear skies and a mild 66ºF temperature. Winds were starting to pick up with 5-10 mph from the SW.

The trees are starting to show some nice color but overall the forest and vegetation was still largely on the green side. The grapevines are starting to yellow as I photographed several White-throated Sparrows feeding on whitened grapes.






The trails were quiet except for a small patch next to the Maintenance Yard where several Ruby-crowned Kinglets made an appearance overhead.




The half-dozen birds included a pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets that still refuse to hold still long enough for a clean image. But, in these frames the birds looked nice against a backdrop of gold vegetation.








Nearby a flock a Blue Jays moved through the trees, and one even stopped long enough for a portrait or two.



At the north end of the Maintenance Yard, next to the small dump, a flock of six American Robins were foraging on grapes. As I picked through them I spotted the first of two Hermit Thrush hiding in the thickets.


The second Hermit Thrush appeared overhead as the flock moved on. There may have been a third, but may have also been one of a half-dozen Cedar Waxwings that appeared overhead during this quick burst of activity.





As I walked along the north end of the Maintenance Yard a Red-tailed Hawk flew past me followed by a Cooper's Hawk in hot pursuit. The raptors split off with the Cooper's Hawk flying high up into the tree overhead while the Red-tailed Hawk landed onto a branch just 12 feet off the ground ahead of me. 

I slowly moved to the edge of the trail where I was able to view it from 30' away and get photos against a backdrop of golden leaves. The juvenile bird spent several minutes peering in all directions looking for prey while trying to relocate the Cooper's Hawk. It was unaware of my presence or didn't consider me a threat.



















It finally flew off a short distance after hearing a Black Squirrel rustling in the brush next to the trail. The Red-tailed Hawk landed on a stump and looked for the squirrel before jumping onto the ground to look for it.



After having no luck finding it the buteo took off down the trail and out of sight.



Meanwhile, the juvenile Cooper's Hawk perched high overhead and seemed content with surveying the surrounding landscape.



Winds were starting to pick up even more so I headed back to the car and home for lunch. Today is a No Kings Protest in Wyandotte so we'll be heading there, shortly.

Elizabeth Park (Trenton), Wayne, Michigan, US
Oct 18, 2025 8:55 AM - 9:52 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.61 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Mostly clear, 61F, winds SW 5-15mph. Rain/winds forecasted next 2 days.
20 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  90
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  4
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  8
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  6
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  8
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S280072630

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)