This morning my birding colleague Andrew Joslin and I led a bird walk along Meadow Road in the Arnold Arboretum for about two hours.  We were joined by more than 25 enthusiastic birders, many of whom were just testing their wings in the wonderful avocation of birding.  Although the weather was a bit damp, neither the birds nor the birders were discouraged and we had some nice sightings.  A Red-breasted Nuthatch at the feeders near the Administration Building was a “life bird” for several in the group. A Red-tailed Hawk posed in the giant Silver Maple farther down the road for all to admire. A Carolina Wren began to call loudly from the wetland.  Most of us never saw this tiny wren but it’s call is unmistakable.  How such a small bird can emit this intense call always amazes me!

Sound recording courtesy of Lang Elliott NatureSound Studio

As we continued down to the cork trees and the buckeyes we added to our list of woodpecker species with a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Northern Flicker.  The sapsucker disappeared after a brief stop and was not seen by all,  which was too bad as it is a stunning bird – here is an image of one I took last spring in my side yard:

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (male) showing the diagnostic white bar on the wings and subtle yellow cast to the breast. The lines of small holes in the branch are typical of this birds feeding habit.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (male) showing the diagnostic white bar on the wings and subtle yellow cast to the breast. The lines of small holes in the branch are typical of this birds feeding habit. Photo Bob Mayer

A member of the group located a lovely Golden-crowned Kinglet, a bird seen much more often in the winter than at any other time.  Everyone had good looks at this diminutive beauty as it flitted about on a low shrub.  Overall we saw 26 species. Here is the list, with approximate counts for each:

Arnold Arboretum Jan 13, 2013 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Comments:     BBC walk, Bob Mayer and Andrew Joslin plus 26 other birders. Overcast & misty, 44, calm

26 species

  • Canada Goose  8
  • Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4
  • Mourning Dove  5
  • Herring Gull  2
  • Red-tailed Hawk  2
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1 medium sized woodpecker with white wing panel seen clearly
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
  • Downy Woodpecker  5
  • Northern Flicker  2
  • Blue Jay  10
  • Black-capped Chickadee  8
  • Tufted Titmouse  4
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
  • White-breasted Nuthatch  2
  • Carolina Wren  1
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
  • American Robin  12
  • Northern Mockingbird  1
  • European Starling  4
  • House Finch  
  • 5 American Goldfinch  
  • 3 Dark-eyed Junco  5
  • White-throated Sparrow  15
  • Song Sparrow  1
  • Northern Cardinal  10
  • House Sparrow  10

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S12586667

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

You will note that the list was compiled using eBird, an innovative online checklist program that is free for registered users.  It provides a convenient way to both record your sightings and share them with the birding community.  Check it out!

There will be a series of bird walks in the Arb this spring and again in the fall. Stay tuned for the details either on the Arnold Arboretum website or here on this blog.

  • Good birding!