Thread by @thepacketrat

#birbsunday at @CromwellValleyP list. /1 of ?

So @paulajgal and I got off to a slow start this morning; a cardinal in molt and a high flying Coopers Hawk were all we saw for the first 20 minutes. Heard others—Carolina wrens and chickadees and blue jays pinging each other. We almost thought the day was going to be a bust. /2

The invertebrate flyers were not as shy, and the milkweed and jewel weed were attracting some butterfly superstars. /3

We walked past the nature center, and a white breasted nuthatch greeted us to tell us everything was going to be ok. “It’s late August, some of us are a little shy right now.” /4

We got a nice vulture flyover as we moved east. /5

We then encountered a squadron of Northern Mockingbirds, probably a family group, patrolling the eastern edge of the park. Things were starting to pick up. /6

In addition to Mockie and Fledge, there were some representatives of @mduv_security providing perimeter surveillance. /7

There were also some other wiresitters nearby- more MDuv, some bluebirds, and an almost unrecognizable House Finch in moltsville. /8

The real action was in a glade between the two sections of the park on the Sherwood Farm Trail, where a Pewee, gnat catchers, and Carolina wrens were super-active along with some tufted titmice. Also a surprise hummingbird flyby. /9

Here’s the Pewee and hummingbird surprise. /10

Also spotted in the glade was an American Redstart—our second spot at Cromwell in two weeks. Maybe they’re hanging out for a bit before they continue to meander south. /11

So it quickly developed into a reasonably ok day, matching our average as first-year serious recoding things birders for Cromwell. /12

Also, there was a very large invertebrate flyer command center which we did not attempt close inspection of. And more hummingbird action. /end.

*recording Vice recoding