February Arbor Hills Forecast

[chris runk]

February is the dead of winter as far as birding goes. My species count for February is 67 birds. June and July are the only lower count months. In 2007, the duck population in the golf course pond was been the largest I'd seen for a few years. The extended cold up north that year probably had an impact. Ring-necks and Mallard are the most common. The variety of sparrow population is at its lowest; however, 2007 was the best year I had had until then for Harris's Sparrow and Spotted Towhee. In the brush below the observation tower, I routinely found two Harris's Sparrow. In the thick wooded area up by the apartments on the north border, I am finding Spotted Towhees every trip. I have had as many as five during one trip. Other birds that are around, but take a bit of searching are both the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper & Golden-crowned Kinglet. In the back of the preserve, the Bluebirds and Ladder-backs are fairly active.


Thanks to Perry Ping for this report and forecast.