[birding] Finley, 1/11

[Lisa Millbank]

It was a pretty nice day at Finley for Don and me.  Many BALD EAGLES, adult and young, were enjoying the fine soaring weather today.  We saw 8 eagles, although some might have been repeats, as they were flying around actively today.  A PEREGRINE FALCON was also hanging out at Cabell Marsh.  We startled a GREAT HORNED OWL, who was sleeping in the flooded ash forest along the Homer Campbell boardwalk.  The owl flapped clumsily around and found a new perch.  Apparently, the owl surprised and upset a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK who began to scream incessantly in the owl's direction.  There was a PURPLE FINCH singing his half-hearted song that sounds a lot like a Cassin's Vireo, and confuses me in April and May when the vireos are arriving.
The Woodpecker Loop area did live up to its name today, with PILEATED, DOWNY, & HAIRY WOODPECKERS, NORTHERN FLICKER and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.  
Along with all of the usual ducks, swans, coots, herons, and geese, we saw a little group of GADWALLS.  Don and I haven't seen a Gadwall at all this year, not even in the spring.  They looked very elegant in their understated plumage, paddling in pairs.  
We saw the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD flying across Bruce Rd.  He went right into a hedgerow and didn't come out again.
We also checked the prairie overlook for Short-eared Owls at dusk, but no luck.  

Lisa Millbank
www.neighborhood-naturalist.com
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