Birdwalk Highlights for 4/4: Florida Lake Park, Freeport.

Even though it's still early, the strong northerly winds coupled with a large group suggested Florida Lake was the place to go this morning, and it definitely did not disappoint.

We were greeted with a newly-arrived YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER over the parking lot, and enjoyed a mixed-species foraging flock on the way in, including 4 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and a pair of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. NORTHERN FLICKERS - likely undergoing a little push of migration this morning - were particularly visible and enjoyed to satisfaction, including long views through the scope. Newly-arrived EASTERN PHOEBES became evident by the time we reached the edge of the lake; at least 5 were toughening out the early date, and scattered SONG SPARROWS numbered at least 4-6. A couple of calling PINE SISKINS in the woods was followed by a flock of 13 that flew over the lake.

While we are still early for my woodland migrants, the water was full of migrating waterbirds, led by our first PIED-BILLED GREBE of the year. 22 RING-NECKED DUCKS were joined by 3 BUFFLEHEADS, one male COMMON MERGANSER flew in, and later, 4 WOOD DUCKS flew over our heads and we investigated the wonders of Skunk Cabbage. TURKEY VULTURES were on the move this morning, as was a migrant AMERICAN KESTREL. At least 4 BALD EAGLES were spotted, and a BELTED KINGFISHER arrived at the lake to join us. At least 4 TREE SWALLOWS are also now present, and a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were weighing the usually challenges of battling the swallows for nest boxes here.

But the star of the show today was a singing RUSTY BLACKBIRD - first of the year for almost everyone, and a lifer for quite a few - that politely posed for prolonged views through the scope and inspired a little chat about the decline of this fascinating species. A fitting bird to punctuate our first birdwalk visit of the spring to this special little park.