Neuse River Trail and Falls Lake Dam

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White-eyed Video

Spring walk down the river and up on the dam

Some days it is nice to bird on a paved path, so I drove over to the Neuse River Greenway near the dam and headed south for about 2 miles. Granted, I arrived a bit late, after 8 a.m., but was pleased to find a total of 57 species at the river and the dam. Of interest, the Cliff Swallows at the bridge, the Osprey nest at the dam, and a lack of warblers.  There is also an Osprey nest at the power line right-of-way.  White-throated Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers are still in town, but I have not heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet for two days.  This is the time of year I stop trashing the butter-butts, they look very handsome!  Recent arrivals include Great-crested Flycatcher and Wood Thrush. Blue-grey Gnatcatchers were everywhere and I found all the woodpeckers except a Hairy.  Had two or three Barred Owls cavorting around across the river, about one mile down the trail. I continue to balance using a DSLR camera, binoculars, iPhone and a small audio recorder during my walks.  There is a constant battle, should I take a photo first, record audio first, look through binocular first, or enter it in eBird.  I am glad scoping season is over.  It’s worth it in the long run, but, there are days I want to just walk empty-handed.  On eBird I now have over 50 species with audio and 120+ species photos.  I might be ready to upgrade my audio equipment this year.  Thanks for stopping by.

Bird On!

American Robin

New Osprey nest

Not positive but I don’t recall Ospreys nesting at the dam before. They are still constructing the nest, but I am concerned they might feel too vulnerable at this location and ultimately abandon the site. Time will tell. That said, it is a great place to watch. Today there was a lot of nest material delivery with a little fishing during their spare time.

White-eyed Vireo

Cardinal in the background.

Eastern Towhee

Confused me at first, but towhees can do that from time to time. Cardinal in the background.

White-eyed Vireo

Neuse River Trail–Falls River, Wake, North Carolina, US

Apr 23, 2018 8:27 AM – 10:55 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.745 mile(s)

Comments:     clear to cloudy as front approaches, cool

50 species

Canada Goose  1

Great Blue Heron  1

Black Vulture  6

Turkey Vulture  5

Osprey  2

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  3

Barred Owl  2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Red-headed Woodpecker  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  3

Downy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  1

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Eastern Phoebe  2

Great Crested Flycatcher  3

White-eyed Vireo  6

Blue Jay  10

American Crow  5

Fish Crow  2

Cliff Swallow  10

Carolina Chickadee  3

Tufted Titmouse  11

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Brown-headed Nuthatch  2

Carolina Wren  6

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  11

Wood Thrush  1

American Robin  15

Gray Catbird  1

Brown Thrasher  1

Northern Mockingbird  2

European Starling  1

Prothonotary Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  1

Northern Parula  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler  5

Chipping Sparrow  1

White-throated Sparrow  8

Song Sparrow  1

Eastern Towhee  3

Summer Tanager  1

Northern Cardinal  15

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  1

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

House Finch  3

American Goldfinch  4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44863941

Falls Lake–Dam, Wake, North Carolina, US

Apr 23, 2018 11:05 AM – 11:53 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.013 mile(s)

24 species

Canada Goose  1

Double-crested Cormorant  6

Great Blue Heron  1

Osprey  2

Killdeer  1

Ring-billed Gull  1

Mourning Dove  1

Red-eyed Vireo  2

American Crow  2

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  7

Barn Swallow  1

Carolina Chickadee  1

Tufted Titmouse  2

Carolina Wren  1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

Eastern Bluebird  1

American Robin  3

Brown Thrasher  1

Pine Warbler  1

Yellow-rumped Warbler  7

Chipping Sparrow  3

Eastern Towhee  3

Northern Cardinal  2

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44865795

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