Whiting WMA 4/5--American Kestrel

I went out a little later today than yesterday so the woods didn't seem quite as busy. Yesterday I managed 29 species; today only 23. However, a new one for the year--and the county-- was the American Kestrel I saw flying over the first field as I was walking back home. I was watching a couple of bluebirds land on the small pine trees when I caught sight of a much speedier flyer at the edge of the woods. Even from that distance its markings were pretty obvious along with its flight characteristics.

3 Palm Warblers were deep in the woods along with some Pine Warblers which are becoming more and more prevalent as the spring progresses. But (aside from the ever-present chickadees) the bird that seems to be all over the woods is the Chipping Sparrow with its mechanical chirring song. Juncos are getting harder to find unless you look under our feeders.

Oh the humanity!

We live only a few miles from Lakehurst, site of the infamous Graf Zeppelin Disaster. It is still an operating naval base and the Zeppelin hangar that was supposed to house the airship that day is still in use. Every once in a while a navy blimp floats anachronistically overhead. It seems odd just to see a plain old blimp without any advertising or flashing lights on it.

Today it was the only interesting thing I saw while I was at the lake, which, for the first time in a couple of months, had no ducks or geese on it. Yesterday the Ring-necked drake & hen were there along with a couple of Canada Geese and Mallards. I suspect the Ring-neck Ducks have flown north--April is pretty late to still be seeing them. Of course, just because I didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't there. (4/6: Proving the previous sentence, today they were there.)

Today, in the 2nd inning of the Mets' opener, 4 Wild Turkeys walked through the backyard and on down into "the slump." Unusual to see them so early in the day.

Today's WMA list:
Turkey Vulture  1
American Kestrel  1
Mourning Dove  7
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Phoebe  1    Congasia Road
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1
Tree Swallow  8
Carolina Chickadee  20
Tufted Titmouse  10
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  7
American Robin  4
Palm Warbler  3
Pine Warbler  7
Chipping Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  4
American Goldfinch  1