Field trip to Wesleyan College.

Wesleyan College, our destination for the October field trip.
Jim (Dr. James Ferrari) led the group of 15 people.  We started off by the pond area.  

Eastern Phoebe.  Courtesy of Jerry Amerson.

There was quite a bit of birds activity.  A large flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds flew by.  Then a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, a flock of Great Egrets, a murder of Crows. 
A Coopers Hawk was sighted.  The Canada Geese (over 25) landed and made themselves comfortable as if the pond area is their regular home.  A Pied-billed Grebe was enjoying the pond.

By Jerry Amerson

The regular residents were also present: Great Blue Heron, Eastern Phoebes, various woodpeckers, Chickadees, and Titmice.  The Song Sparrows and Kinglets have arrived, and the Green Herons have left.

Wesleyan College offers nice walks near the pond area whether you are birding or not.  We took advantage of this and went by the horse stables and beyond and saw even more birds including Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Meadowlarks, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Pine and Palm Warblers, and Nuthatches. 

The highlight of this field trip was the 100 acres arboretum of which Jim Ferrari is the director.  The walk through this beautiful place was shaded, pleasant, and richly diverse for any nature enthusiasts.  Streams runs by it.  (Did you notice the link? Check it out!)

For us birders, we were rewarded with more sightings: a Hermit Thrush, Brown Creepers!, a Blue-headed Vireo, more Kinglets and Brown Thrashers, a Magnolia Warbler, Towhees...  We've identified 56 birds species on this field trip.

A "giant tree" is located at the arboretum.  The old Oak tree was hit by lightning once.  This created a large opening at the base of the tree trunk.  Yes, as you can see in the picture, 3 or more people can fit in there.  That was quite a sight.

By Jerry

This European Starling in full plumage looks like he went to "Jerry's studio" to have his portrait taken but he was actually there at Wesleyan, along with his pals.

If you missed this field trip, try to make the next one.  They are always interesting.