Birdwalk Highlights for 4/18: Tour de Not-Seeing-Bohemian-Waxwings

There have been two small flocks of Bohemian Waxwings around town recently, and in the past couple of days, a flock of around 100 birds. Even though they have been widespread recently, it was just too good of an opportunity to turn down - especially as they will be heading north any minute now. In fact, perhaps they already did, because we didn't see any!

But doing a loop of South Freeport and Yarmouth, we checked a number of locations and just birded our way to and from, hoping to run into waxwings where they have been recently spotted. In doing so, we amassed a pretty diverse birdlist full of new arrivals and other migrants. Highlights included a single 1st cycle BONAPARTE'S GULL and 6 GREATER YELLOWLEGS at the Yarmouth Town Landing, as we hypothesized about the unsettled-looking behavior of the pair of BALD EAGLES at their nest. Was hatching underway? A cooperative and approachable SAVANNAH SPARROW was also welcome.

At the Walsh Preserve, we enjoyed 16 GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, had nice views of two GREAT BLUE HERONS, and heard singing PINE WARBLER (2) and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Meanwhile, at our first stop looking for waxwings, we had some nice views of NORTHERN FLICKERS, our first two of 4 this morning.

Other species tallied today, from the resident to the migratory, also included 70 RING-BILLED GULLS with 10 HERRING GULLS, 20 COMMON GRACKLES, 10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 8 AMERICAN ROBINS, 6 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 5 CHIPPING SPARROWS, 4 SONG SPARROWS, and one each of OSPREY and WILD TURKEY.