Cuckoo, bobolinks, and hummer at Lynde Shores

[jjmb]

Started off my walk very early on Saturday morning at Lynde Shores, and the within a few minutes I came upon a male hummingbird that perched nicely on some branches near me so that I could take many pictures. Not too often that I get to see them sitting still!

Not too much further along the path, I heard a distinctive sound, and located a yellow billed cuckoo. I had seen a couple here last year, and this one was pretty much in the same tree as the previous year.

And of course in the meadows, bobolinks, goldfinches and song sparrows everywhere.

The marsh itself was kind of quiet. A few wigeons, 3 GBHs seen at different times flying over, gadwalls, and I could hear but not see some coots. Also, the mute swan family was out and about; I saw 3 cygnets. And a trumpeter swan was on a nest.

And of course there were some of the usual suspects around, jays, chickadees, cardinals, hairy woodpecker, yellow warblers, warbling vireos, kingbirds, flycatchers, et al.

It was a beautiful morning.

[Hilander]

Wow!  Nice sightings.

We went later in the morning, with the wind howling, and were less successful than you.  We heard the woodpecker off in the distance, but when we made it to the area we believed it to be tapping in, it couldn't be found.

We saw 2 GBHs fly over, as well as, a Red-tailed Hawk and 3 Turkey Vultures.  Swallows, Bobolinks, Gold Finches, Sparrows, Jays, Kingbirds, and the pretty Yellow Warbler were definitely abundant, as usual.

I'm curious where the Cuckoo and Hummingbird are though.  We start out on the Feeding Path and take it out to the high sighting stand and then circle back around past the silo to the parking lot.

We did see the deer yesterday.

Cheers, Rory.

[mark75]

Nice... The Yellow-billed Cuckoo would be a lifer for me and I am always at Lynde Shores. I was wondering if you could share the  location ?

I think I have a mission for this week :)

[jjmb]

I usually start my walks at sun rise, because I like to photograph the deer in the meadow, so I go left following the marsh instead of going along the feeder path.

The hummer was just a few paces along the path. After leaving the bridge and going left, the path then turns south. He was in the bushes on the left side of the path (sorry, I don't know what kind). So basically maybe 20-25 paces from leaving the road. I think because it was so early and cool, that would explain why he was sitting still so much and letting me take some pics.

Continuing from there, winding past the "wigwams", and then rounding the corner where the pine trees start and before you get to the stand of birches. On the left side of the path, there are some tall trees next to some bushes. This is also a good place for other birds at times, but the cuckoo was calling in one of the taller trees. Same tree as last year, so maybe they nested in the area. I do know that a pair nested along the path leading to the viewing platform on Hall's road last year, which caused quite a stir amongst the regular birders.

Good luck!