LaFitte's Cove Bird Report 1-2-12

It was a beautiful sunny cool day with a moderate north wind. The wind kept some of the birds hidden in the woods. Sparrows were the most common birds present with Savannah, Harris's, Field and Chipping seen. Winter birds included a single Cedar Waxwing, American Robins, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and this stunning male Black-headed Grosbeak that was first found last week. To locate the bird, it is feeding just behind the yellow rope on Jibstay Court just before the loop at the end of the street. There are some wispy bushes with white and pink flowers. It is eating the flowers and buds on these bushes. Here are 3 photos of this very cooperative bird.

 The ponds had a pair of Lesser Scaup, 7 female Buffleheads and numerous Northern Shovelers. I just saw a single Green-winged Teal today.

Raptors were Red-shouldered, Red-tailed and Northern Harrier. As I was looking for the grosbeak, this Osprey struggled againt the wind with a large fish.

Osprey with fish

As he came overhead he showed yesterdays lunch as well as todays.

Osprey with yesterdays and todays lunch

Elsewhere on the west end of the island, there were only Savannah Sparrows seen on Settegast Road. 8 Mile Road had a flock of 44 Sandhill Cranes.