January Forecast

[chris runk]

Birding in January brings all the normal winter birds. A good day versus a bad day is usually based on how many ducks and sparrows you find. Some ducks can be found on the small pond in the middle of the preserve, but most of the ducks are found in the pond on the south side of Parker Rd in the golf course. Typical ducks in low numbers are Gadwall, Mallard, and Lesser Scaup. In some years, Ring-necked Ducks, PB Grebes and Coots take up residence. Eleven species of sparrows and the like have been seen in January. Field, Song and White-throated Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco should be expected on most trips. Spotted Towhee, Savannah, Fox, Harris's and White-crowned Sparrow are found sporadically. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks are pretty active in January. Both species are found in one out of three trips. All five woodpeckers (Red-bellied, YB Sapsucker, Ladder-backed, Downy & Flicker) are now present if you are willing to trek back to the prairie for the Ladder-backed. Other winter birds are Eastern Phoebe, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, and Orange-crowned Warbler. In some years, wintering Blue-headed Vireo's can be found, so keep an eye open.

Thanks to Perry Ping for this forecast.