Monday, March 30, 2015

Jefferson County Dusky Grouse and Williamson's Sapsuckers

March 27, 2015

Richard Stevens:

I took a chance that the long drive to Lookout Mountain Nature Center would be worthwhile.  When I arrived, several birders were watching one of the two Dusky Grouse at the southern end of the parking area.  She stayed somewhat hidden in an evergreen tree.

A walk around the Boettcher Museum added a male Williamson's Sapsucker to my day list.

Genesee Mountain Park also Jefferson County was nearby.  I hiked from the group picnic area parking area to the top of the park/mountain (an easy 0.8 mile walk).

A male Williamson's Sapsucker flew to his favorite drumming pole on the west side of the group picnic building.  Another male flew around the snags near the flagpole at the top of the mountain.  I played a Williamson's Sapsucker recording and a female Williamson's Sapsucker flew down from the north.  On the trip back to my car, a second female Williamson's Sapsucker was observed working the trees south of the road at the group picnic area!

Another drive along the DIA Owl Loop found two pairs of Burrowing Owls (Trussville & 114th and Third Creek and Quency Street).  No Short-eared Owls or swallows appeared this afternoon.

No comments: