We took a friend out for her first birding experience this afternoon. For a first time birder, you look for big impressive birds to jump start interest, so we thought that Cattus Island would be a likely spot as it has pretty easy to see Ospreys and egrets. And, starting out at 12:45 on a day turning summer-like, I didn't really expect to find many passerines. (I took an early walk in the WMA this morning to get my passerine fix--28 species.)
At the observation deck we saw Ospreys right off, plus a Snowy Egret hunting back in the marsh. We did find one Common Yellowthroat to show her instead of just pointing out its song and she was delighted with the Downy Woodpecker we found. I think she was just happy to see any bird, since we were hearing a lot of birds like catbirds, sparrows, blackbirds, etc.
On the way back, Shari found our FOY Tricolored Heron which is a beautiful bird to see for the first (or any) time. Another birder had told me one had been sighted there earlier in day, but without a scope I didn't really expect to find it.
The Tricolored Heron certainly made the trip worthwhile for me and if nothing else, our friend will be able to impress her boss (a birder) with her report of what she did this weekend.
21 species @ Cattus Island:
Canada Goose 1
Mallard 5
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Osprey 7
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 25
Mourning Dove 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Heard
Fish Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Gray Catbird 15
Common Yellowthroat 2
Eastern Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Sparrow 1
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