
The "Mariton Bird Club" visited Fulshaw Craeg this morning and had a wonderful walk. We saw some terrific birds, some marvelous flowers and some amazing scenery. As soon as each person stepped onto the trail, I heard an audible sigh of contentment. This place is that amazing. Right off the bat, a northern waterthrush was sighted along the creek.
In the woods, we were hearing lots of worm-eating warblers. We commented how it is usually difficult to actually see one. But one of our keen-eyed members spotted the persistent male, singing near the trail. Then the bird stayed there in full view for several minutes, so we all got a great look at it while singing. What a show (worth the cost of admission).
When we reached the meadows, a Louisiana waterthrush was singing. We looked and looked, but never found it. While looking for the waterthush, a common yellowthroat was spotted, and stayed in full view for several minutes while continuing to sing. It even dropped down to the ground and foraged through the skunk cabbage near our feet.
Baltimore orioles, an indigo bunting, and a ruby-throated hummingbird were also spotted. As we neared the end of the walk, a yellow-throated vireo was singing nearby. Eventually, someone spotted them. There were three flitting together (a female and two males?). This is another species that we usually don't get a good view of, but these perched within a few yards. We were able to see the yellow throat, the yellow eye-ring and the wing bars. Spectacular.
The flowers sighted included columbine on rock faces, bishop's cap, squawroot and showy orchis (not quite in bloom). We also saw bladder nut (a shrub) in blossom, along with redbud, dogwood, and pinkster. What a wonderful morning.