Wheeler Nature Park Bird Walk - SBFiN Walk #11 photos

• SBFiN Walk # 11 (Bird Watching with Walter Poleman/UVM). 

• Location: Wheeler Natural Area, South Burlington, VT. 

• June 15, 2016  

• Duration: 2.0 hours (7:00 to 9:00) 

• 11 Guests: Walter Poleman (lead the bird walk), UVM students: Ben Fisher, Ellen Gawarkiewicz, Mary Kate Lisi, Emily Hamel, Griffin Dahl.  And Donna Leban, Betty Milizia, Carol Clawson, Mav Kim. (one guest name unknown.)

• Birds viewed: Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Downy, Woodpecker, Alder Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Barn Swallow,  Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.  Thank You, Maeve for keeping a list for us.

• Very Special Thanks to Walt Poleman for leading the bird walk, offering bird and plant ID's and leading discussion on the past land use and some of the reasons the Wheeler Nature Park is so special.  

• True to the SBFiN (South Burlington Families in Nature program, along with birds, we observed many elements of nature, some scenic, some picturesque, some spiked our curiosity, all added to the enjoyment of our walk. 

This Common Yellowthroat (Warbler) greeted us 

just a few feet into the park. 

      Song Sparrows (shown here) and a Field Sparrow flitted about and sang to us along our walk through the field. 

         The highlight had to have been the Eastern Towhee atop a tall tree showing us his wonderful colors in the bright sunshine. We would later see a female E.Towhee tossing about leaf litter searching for dinner. 

Who is watching who?

 

Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

       
                   This little guy was cleaning its' head. I supposed flying at xx mph after insects often results in smatterings of dinner across its head and face.

White Pine seeds looking a bit like Pineapple.

Ear Piercing

Ellen could tell you what this really is.
I call it insect spittle.
It probably really comes out from the other end!

Good Hair Day -
I am going to be a flower!

Brown-headed Cowbird romance.

First, we need to talk
then we will see
about romance.

        Low light and distance made for poor image, however, still great to capture a record of our Eastern Towhee sighting.

                      I think this was an offering to share!

  I think, no matter how uncommon or common, rarely seen or often seen, birds of all types have a great deal of interesting behaviors, sounds, and displays for us to observe and enjoy.

The following images were taken the day before on my scouting walk at Wheeler.

Lupine

       Maple Spindle Galls

    Galls that are formed by insects or mites are basically outgrowths of the plant's tissue.  Read more on the UVM article, Maples Leaves with Bumps and Hairs.

                            The best of both seasons

                                                     Blue Lagoon

                                     Ah, come on, pucker up and
                                 give us a kiss!
   

  Nature holds endless beauty, curiosities, intrigues, even mysteries. We only need to Stop, Look, and Listen (perhaps even smell). Consider joining us on the next SBFiN walk and see what you will observe. Select the SBFiN Tab at the top to see photos of past walks and dates and locations for future walks.

SBFiN Program description 

South Burlington Families in Nature offers Community Outreach walks 2x per month from spring through fall.  The goal of the SBFiN program is to introduce families to SB natural areas through guided walks, and nature observations