Spring 2020 Bird Sightings
This column indicates the 1st time during spring 2020, or later, I saw and/or heard a migratory species (often neo-tropical). Some were in my neighborhood, most in nearby natural areas. Some have info web links (including songs), but you can look up any of these species on the Cornell or Audubon site.
Photos/videos were taken through my spotting scope using an iPhone 7 or SE.
April 25
House Wren Worm-eating Warbler April 23 Red-eyed Vireo Prothonotary Warbler Kentucky Warbler Scarlet Tanager Blue Grosbeak April 22 Blue-headed Vireo April 20 Chimney Swift Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Orchard Oriole Wood Thrush Least Bittern
April 16
Rough-winged Swallow Pied-billed Grebe April 14 Eastern Phoebe White-eyed Vireo Northern Parula Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Blue-winged Teal April 12 Common Yellowthroat Barn Swallow Forster's Tern Caspian Tern Yellow-throated Warbler (county species #100 in 2020) March 29 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (find surprise in link) Chipping Sparrow Great Egret Snowy Egret March 20 Osprey |
More Spring Bird Sighting Information
There are birds that are particularly common in our neighborhoods right now (in late April), some of which will be leaving our area soon. It's definitely worth the time to follow the links (click on their names) to see pictures, hear songs and calls, read about nesting season, learn about migratory travels, etc.
Yellow-rumped Warbler These small, colorful birds are sometimes referred to as butterfly birds for the way they flit from tree branch to branch, usually 15-30 feet up. Very common in Maryland in March and April, they usually are gone north by mid-May. White-throated Sparrow Very common during here our winter and spring, from Nov.-April, they will leave in the early weeks of May. They spend most of their time on the ground or in lower heights of trees and shrubs. They often visit bird feeder areas. Carolina Wren These birds stay here in all seasons (resident birds), and are typically very vocal. They often stray into garages, porches, even mailboxes, etc. House Finch A Maryland resident, they are very vocal in the spring, and often are active around homes. They have been known to build nests on your porch, nearby shrub, etc. The male has very colorful orangey-red head and chest coloration. Mourning Dove Another resident species, they are often around bird feeders in winter. They usually make nests in evergreen trees and shrubs, and make a cooing call that sometimes makes people think they hear an owl. Eastern Towhee A 'robin-like' bird, but with a shorter tail and more chunky looking. It is found in MD year-round, and is mostly a seed-eater. Look for it under shrubs, in woodland edges, etc. One of its calls sounds like the word 'towheeee'... many birds have names based on something they often 'seem to say.' Woodpeckers We have several woodpecker species that live here all year: Red-bellied Woodpecker - common, medium sized Downy Woodpecker - common, small Hairy Woodpecker - uncommon, medium sized Pileated Woodpecker - uncommon, crow-sized!! |