chris runk
02-28-2007, 08:13 AM
Most wintering birds are present until at least mid-March with a few early migrants and summer residents appearing before the end of the month. As usual Purple Martin “scouts” will have already arrived (early to mid-February) and will be feeding over the lake. Although fall is the best season for ducks on WR Lake, with a little luck, and an approaching north cold front, mid-March can bring a number of migrating diving ducks to the lake’s center. Only rarely can up to five species of gulls be found congregating on the spillway in March, but starting early in the month, Franklin’s Gulls pass through from South America, most with varying shades of pink underparts. Arriving migrant Bonaparte’s Gulls can greatly increase the numbers of this species from wintertime levels. Early to mid March has produced rarities on the lake over the past few years- Little Gull, Thayer's Gull and Common Loon are species recorded in this two to three week period. Eared Grebes are to be expected (mid-March) as wintering waterfowl numbers diminish overall.
In the hatchery, last of season appearances during March usually include Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Rusty Blackbird. Other winter residents become more visible and even start singing as temperatures rise and trees begin to leaf out. Before leaving for their nesting grounds, Winter Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and both species of wintering warblers, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped can be heard in full song. First of season hatchery appearances in March will include Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Little Blue Heron, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo (late March), B+W Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush (early March, but gone by early April) and maybe a Northern Parula. Vesper, Chipping and Savannah Sparrows are often found in March on the hill behind the dam. Finally, in some years, Rusty Blackbirds can be present throughout March, feeding in the hatchery's shallow ponds.
In the hatchery, last of season appearances during March usually include Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Rusty Blackbird. Other winter residents become more visible and even start singing as temperatures rise and trees begin to leaf out. Before leaving for their nesting grounds, Winter Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and both species of wintering warblers, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped can be heard in full song. First of season hatchery appearances in March will include Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Little Blue Heron, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo (late March), B+W Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush (early March, but gone by early April) and maybe a Northern Parula. Vesper, Chipping and Savannah Sparrows are often found in March on the hill behind the dam. Finally, in some years, Rusty Blackbirds can be present throughout March, feeding in the hatchery's shallow ponds.