Went out again this afternoon and decided to walk the path along Highland Creek designated as Colonel Danforth Park. The main drag was predictably busy with people, usually in groups, and many bicycles, including these electric motorized scooters and even a Segway. As a result, I spent most of my time on side trails, often not that far from the main drag but even that small distance made my outing more enjoyable. Sightings included: Red-eyed vireo, Warbling vireo, Rose-breasted grosbeak (male and female), Gray Catbird, House wren, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Rough-winged swallows, Killdeer, Great Blue Heron, and American Redstart (female).
The male grosbeak was the most interesting bird. The female remained mostly hidden and busy collecting nesting fiber. The male strutted back and forth on a moss-covered fallen tree trunk with his wings slightly parted to reveal the inner red lining. He would hop along the log in one direction, stop, turn around and hop back again, stop, turn again and hop forward again. It came across as a sort of mating dance. It is certainly the first time that I've ever witnessed that behaviour. Again, something that would have been cool to video if I was competent at that sort of thing.
Female American Redstart
Singing Warbling vireo
Red-eyed vireo
Singing Gray catbird
Flashing Red-breasted grosbeak
