Exton Park, 14 October 2013

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On Sunday I saw  a report on PABIRDS of a Nelson's Sparrow at Exton Park, in Exton of all places. Having never been there and seeing that it was only about 4.5 miles I thought I'd go check it out. Nelson's Sparrow is a species that I haven't seen since in a long time and it has been on my list of birds that I'd like to find at the Stroud Preserve. 

I didn't have much time to explore the 700 acre park, but I did find the spot where the sparrow was seen the day before. There were many Swamp, Song and White-throated Sparrows, a handful of Lincoln's Sparrows and a single Field Sparrow. I could not find a Nelson's Sparrow anywhere. 

Otherwise, I enjoyed my walk around the pond. Other highlights were a Merlin and an adult Bald Eagle and my first fall Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I heard but did not see a Greater Yellowlegs. The full list of birds is below.  

 

Start time: 10:00

End time: 12:22

Temp: 56-61º

Wind: 5 from the northeast

Skies: clear

Species Total: 39

  • Black Vulture – 4
  • Turkey Vulture – 20
  • Canada Goose – approximately 350, mostly overhead
  • Wood Duck – 4
  • Mallard – approximately 50
  • Bald Eagle – 1, adult
  • Cooper's Hawk – 2
  • Red-tailed Hawk – 1
  • Merlin – 1
  • Greater Yellowlegs – 1, heard only.
  • Rock Dove – 5
  • Mourning Dove – 8
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 1
  • Downy Woodpecker – 2
  • Northern Flicker – 4
  • Blue Jay – approximately 20
  • American Crow – approximately 5
  • Fish Crow – approximately 10
  • Crow sp. – approximately 50. There were many crows but only calling in the proportions noted above.
  • Tree Swallow – approximately 50
  • Carolina Chickadee – 5
  • Tufted Titmouse – 1
  • Carolina Wren – 2
  • Golden-crowned Kinglet – 1
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 4
  • Eastern Bluebird – 2
  • American Robin – 5
  • Northern Mockingbird – 1
  • European Starling – approximately 25
  • Cedar Waxwing – approximately 10
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler – approximately 100. The trees around the pond and wetlands were filled with these.
  • Eastern Towhee – 3
  • Field Sparrow – 1
  • Song Sparrow – approximately 25
  • Lincoln's Sparrow – 5
  • Swamp Sparrow – approximately 20
  • White-throated Sparrow – approximately 20
  • Northern Cardinal – 5
  • Red-winged Blackbird – approximately 40
  • American Goldfinch – approximately 10