
Things are really starting to hop, migration-wise. The new arrivals are too numerous to mention now; suffice it to say we are within three days of the May first spring migration peak for Mecklenburg County. The Mecklenburg County Spring Bird Count held this past Saturday and a tad disappointing for me. Strong storms Friday afternoon cleared the migrants out, and northerly winds on Saturday slowed the migration.
Sunday turned out to be much better for finding migrants. Winds had turned around a bit to allow for some new birds to move. The Birdhouse on the Greenway’s scheduled bird walk at Latta Park in Dilworth was a nice success. In, fact the first bird we really zeroed in on once we entered the park was a worm-eating warbler.
Sunday turned out to be much better for finding migrants. Winds had turned around a bit to allow for some new birds to move. The Birdhouse on the Greenway’s scheduled bird walk at Latta Park in Dilworth was a nice success. In, fact the first bird we really zeroed in on once we entered the park was a worm-eating warbler.

Cape May warblers were in full song and the spectacular males gave up nice views. Black-throated blue, chestnut-sided, black and white warbler, yellow-rumped, ovenbird, Northern parula, and pine were all tallied in the warbler category.
But there was much more. Brilliant Baltimore orioles and scarlet tanagers flitted through the oak and tulip poplar canopy. A traveling group of three male rose-breasted grosbeaks moved through the mid-canopy. A nice male indigo bunting even hung around for the entire morning.
But there was much more. Brilliant Baltimore orioles and scarlet tanagers flitted through the oak and tulip poplar canopy. A traveling group of three male rose-breasted grosbeaks moved through the mid-canopy. A nice male indigo bunting even hung around for the entire morning.

Resident birds gave the group plenty to get excited about too. Two just-fledged barred owls were found with both adults keeping close watch. We also enjoyed watching downy woodpecker chicks sticking their heads out of their nest hole to be fed by the adults. As we watched one particular nest box in the park, we were treated to a male Eastern bluebird perching on the top that was replaced by a handsome chipping sparrow while a brown-headed nuthatch stuck its head out of the hole to see what was happening on the roof.
In two hours’, time the group of 16 recorded 51 species. Dilworth’s Latta Park is the premier attraction for spring birding in Mecklenburg County. For the next two weeks there will be a heavy birding presence there. Come on out and enjoy the fun. Even if you aren’t the most confident birder, there will be plenty of other birders there to assist with identifications and other questions.
In two hours’, time the group of 16 recorded 51 species. Dilworth’s Latta Park is the premier attraction for spring birding in Mecklenburg County. For the next two weeks there will be a heavy birding presence there. Come on out and enjoy the fun. Even if you aren’t the most confident birder, there will be plenty of other birders there to assist with identifications and other questions.