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Mariton: Mixed Flocks of BirdERS

October 29, 2014

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager.  Photos by Ed Norman.

NORMAN Birders II 10-28-24

We saw some more great birds on the last nature walk of the season.  Probably the one that impressed me the most was a Brown Creeper that several people got to see.  (I missed the one spotted last week.)  These birds climbs up tree trunks looking for insects under the bark.  (White-breasted Nuthatches work down the trunk – head first.)  Brown Creepers’ ability to blend into the surroundings always amazes me.

NORMAN Birders 10-28-14

The Creeper was part of another mixed flock of Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Kinglets and a Blue-headed Vireo.  Later on in the field we found a mixed flock of Bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings.  Then someone noticed a Purple Finch amongst them.  Several people have seen Purple Finches at their feeders, so you should start double checking those House Finches in your neighborhood.  You just never know what you will find in these fall mixed flocks.  We saw an immature Red-shouldered Hawk above the parking lot as we were finishing our walk.

NORMAN Walking Stick 10-28-14

Marilyn had a Walking Stick on her pant leg that was pretty cool.

And the photos… Ed Norman shot some great photos of Tuesday’s group and I thought it would be nice to see some photos of birders for a change.  The photo below is of Carole Mebus who contributes many photos for the blog and other publications.  She is usually behind the camera (as she is here), so I appreciated Ed taking this wonderful portrait.

NORMAN  Carole photo 10-28-14