It was a great day to bird Whelan Lake after a week of rain. The trails were a bit muddy, but 28 birders made it out to the lake. Thanks to the ever-watchful eyes of young birder, Justin H, we got to see the pair of Mandarin Ducks! They gave us a quick view and then pulled a vanishing act.
What a treat to see a Merlin, several Kestrels, Red-tailed & Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks & the resident White-tailed Kites. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks put on an aerial display, locking talons and spiraling down and out-of-sight!
Friend at the water treatment ponds was photographed by Cathie Canepa
The Tropical Kingbird was not around today. The e-bird report:
