However, the real highlight of today was the number of birds. As often happens when there is light rain and mild temperatures, bird activity increases dramatically (not so in heavy rain). There were birds all over the place! Most were families of adults with young so there was much vocalization from hungry young screeching to be fed! Robins were by far the most abundant birds, with about 30 around the garden, including lots of spreckle breasted young. Eastern Kingbirds were also feeding young on the wing, as were House Finches, Gray Catbirds, Song Sparrows, and so on. The service road by the Birch Grove, at one point had about 30 birds lining it, mostly robins, goldfinches, house finches and a couple of flickers. American Redstarts, chickadees, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were calling away, and at one point both grosbeaks and robins were having a feast on Red Elderberry fruit.

Of course, not all birds have finished nesting. Goldfinches are nesting now, except for the non-breeders which you can often see in flocks, like a bunch of teenagers hanging out at the mall, raising a ruckus! Some Song Sparrows must still have young in the nest because a couple of times they became extremely agitated when I passed close to a particular site.

House Wrens are still scolding away, very vociferously. The Green Heron was flying back and forth from the pond, calling loudly. Yellow warblers, downy woodpeckers, amongst others were very visible. All in all, a great time to check out birds at the FWG.