May 3, 2008 [LINK / comment]

Augusta Bird Club picnic

The Augusta Bird Club held its annual spring brunch picnic at Montgomery Hall Park this morning, one last chance for camaraderie with fellow bird "nuts" before the summer doldrums set in. (I will update the club Web site with a group photo, etc. in the next day or two.) In the morning it was mild and fairly sunny, but later on it became a little too breezy for good birding. I saw a total of five (5) first-of-season birds, which was pretty good, but only one such warbler species, the Redstart. I took photos of it and one of the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (from a distance), shown below. Other birders saw a Peregrine Falcon and a Chestnut-sided warbler. Here are the highlights of what I saw:

• Eastern Kingbird (FOS)
• Scarlet Tanager (M, FOS)
• Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (2 M, FOS)
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Red-eyed Vireos
• American Redstart (M, FOS)
• Indigo Bunting (M, FOS)
• Cowbird (M)
• Goldfinch
• Red-tailed hawk
• Great Crested Flycatcher

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male), May 3, 2008

American Redstart (male), May 3, 2008

UPDATE: The Annual arrival dates page has been updated.