Nature Note: A Naturalist's Travels Through Nature

Blackbirds might not be the most charismatic group of birds, but they are filled with plenty of characters. From the songster orioles to the clanging grackles and the bastard cowbirds, blackbirds or "icterids" as ornithologists call them are a diverse group. Baltimore Oriole This past weekend, Alison and I headed over to Three Rivers in Baldwinsville to check out the bird life. While it wasn't our first choice for birding (Beaver Lake was closed so that volunteers could set up a Halloween-related festival), we were determined to find some birds. The leaves had peaked and were drifting off the trees one by one. In the distance, gunshots rang out precipitously. Perhaps a flock of geese had mistaken an array of decoys for peaceful comrades while the hunters lay out of sight, waiting for the right moment. While listening to the calls of robins and cardinals in the trees before us, a bubbly whistling caught our attention. Just below the robins were some smallish black ...

What a day yesterday! I got two more lifers and saw a ton of species for my year list. It was such a great day and tiring too. I was so beat when I got in and so pumped after all that I'd experienced. I visited at the perfect time it seemed. Shorebirds were stacking up on the main pool/mudflats and it seemed like everyone was filling themselves up for the warmer months ahead. With new camera in hand and notes taken, I headed off to document my roaming. Here's what I found. Icterids like Red-winged Blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), Common Grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula ), and Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ) were so common, especially around the visitors center. Everywhere you turned your eyes and ears you saw and heard the chacking, clinking, and checking of these black flocking birds. Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis ) seen at the visitors center. The Raymond Pool was teeming with bird life. Dunlins ( Calidris alpina ) flurried around and fed feve...