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As I sit here watching rain and fog blow in from the Sound
on a dreary early April day, I think back to a perfect early
spring Saturday when six of our members and two guests met
Rick and I at the New York Botanical Gardens.
Purple pansies (堇花
link1) greeted us at the entrance to the Gardens and
crocuses bloomed on the hillsides on the greening lawns.
Robins foraged everywhere but the
Juncos that usually accompanied them in previous
years were missing. We decided that they had recently left
us during the clear nights that had preceded this trip.
However, White-throated Sparrows
still scratched and darted beneath the shrubbery. With them
were Song Sparrows and a Chipper
or two.
Proceeding directly to Twin Lakes with
Wood Ducks on our minds, we were disappointed when two pair
flushed immediately. However, upon further inspection, we
found a stately pair paddling about the north end of the
lake .and admired them appreciatively. An added bonus was a
dapper pair of Ring-necked Ducks, also on parade. We spied a
Rough-winged Swallow, circling above and skimming along the
surface of the lake. A sure sign of spring! Also, seven
turtles sunning themselves on a log. A Muskrat swam across
the lake and Mallards dabbled in the shallows. We became
greedy. Where were our usual Phoebes? As if in answer, Rick
spotted one on the hill behind us flitting from perch to
perch in expected Phoebe fashion. And then a lovely little
Golden-crowned Kinglet perusing the branches above us.
Crossing the road, we discovered a small
flock of Rusty Blackbirds poking about in the soggy leaves
of the seeps along the Bronx River. Red-winged Blackbirds
called from the low-lying trees and a Mockingbird sunned
itself on a tall bush. Entering the forest trail, we
commented upon the lack of bark gleaners. Just then, Bernie
called out a Red- bellied Woodpecker, and soon after, Vic
spotted a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Wish for it and they
will appear! We also found a White-breasted Nuthatch, a Wood
Thrush and a curious, habituated Chickadee.
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Dorothy and George had packed sunflower seeds and soon
we were enticing the little mote with treats. What a
thrill to feel those tiny feet on your fingers as its
little bill selected a seed from our outstretched palms.
Elated, we carried on, sure to find the Great- horned
Owls. We inspected the tree where we found them last
year and where John had discovered them several years
ago. The Crows were not being helpful and a rival
birding group, although friendly, and extending
greetings to some QCBC members they remembered from
years past, pointed vaguely behind them when questioned
about the owls.
We crossed the Hester Bridge and ate lunch on the path
below the Snuff Mill, listening to the Bronx River as it
passes over its small waterfall and over scattered
rocks. This white water on the Bronx River never fails
to fascinate. It could be a trout stream upstate, rather
than a river in the wilds of the Bronx. Just then Rick
called out,” Come here quick!’ We all ran to the rail to
find a Great Egret hunting in the rapids. Water swirled
around his gangly legs as he stabbed at the eddy and
came up with - a fish! It wiggled and thrashed in his
bill as he struggled with it and finally turned it
around. Down it went, wiggling all the way down His long
neck. One happy bird. One unhappy fish.
Returning to the owl hunt, we crossed the River on the
Snuff Mill Road and continued westward, searching trees
that looked promising, but to no avail. We began
traveling overland, climbing up rocks toward
promising-looking pine trees. Was that white wash? It
could be. Or it could be pine sap. That tangle up there
could really hide an owl’s nest. Yes, but it’s too dark
to see into it. We finally admitted defeat. Owls- one ,
us -zero. Sometimes I just like to think of them looking
down on us and chuckling in victory. (Can owls chuckle?)
We walked back through the children’s garden and admired
once again the Red-tailed Hawk who had been soaring and
circling over us most of the morning. A stirring sight,
on any day but especially beautiful against today’s deep
blue sky. We gathered on the sunny benches near the
entrance to make up our bird list and look forward to
the coming spring and more great birding ahead of us.
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