Checklist S156625402

Observations

1. Mallard

   Number observed:  35

2. duck sp.

   Number observed:  65

   Details

   Lots of compact flocks of ducks flying over in the diminishing light. Most were probably Mallards or ABDUs. Some birds looked small and may have been Buffleheads.

3. Asio sp.

   Number observed:  1

   Details

   A medium sized, slender and long-winged Asio owl was flying around the park, beginning around 5pm. It was not hunting around the center "runway" but rather along the edges, especially near the parking lot end. It did not appear to come from the center strip either, but from the wetland forested area in the southwest part of the park. Of note, the grassy area that constituted the old runway has been recently mown, so the grass is quite short and I doubt that the bird would have roosted there during the day with all of the human and dog traffic. Unfortunately, by the time the bird began to hunt, it was quite dark, and I was unable to discern many relevant field marks which might distinguish between the two species. My impression as it flew over me was that it had a dark breast and belly, and lighter, contrasting underwings, but the view was very quick, lasting just a second or so. I was able to see dark markings on the underwing, including dark primary tips and a prominent dark bar at the "wrist". The underwing pattern would fit either species, but would r/o GHOW, which would also have been larger and bulkier than the two Asios. It definitely did not have the GISS of GHOW.

4. Blue Jay

   Number observed:  2

5. American Crow

   Number observed:  2

6. Northern Mockingbird

   Number observed:  1

7. American Robin

   Number observed:  45

8. House Finch

   Number observed:  2

   Exotic: Naturalized

9. American Goldfinch

   Number observed:  2

10. Dark-eyed Junco

    Number observed:  4

11. White-throated Sparrow

    Number observed:  8

12. Song Sparrow

    Number observed:  4

13. Northern Cardinal

    Number observed:  2