There was this redtail sitting in a tree outside CMBO's Center for Research and Education in Goshen this afternoon, with it's tail fanned as it preened, except when I lifted the binoculars I had a difficult time reconciling what I was actually seeing with what I assumed I was seeing. "Boy this bird has got a lot of light speckling on the back, and what's with those wavy tail bands. . .!" Immature Northern Goshawk matched a whole lot better, and that is what it was!
A fifteen minute walk around the grounds here was definitely worth the time - something to consider if you stop by to do some holiday shopping. Among the other highlights were the American Woodcock that flushed from close range along the marsh border; two singing Fox Sparrows - I positively love that sweet, clear song; a mimid "sweep;" and the chance to compare the seep notes of four sparrow species: White-throated, Fox, Song, and Field. The full list is below.
Location: CMBO Center for Research and Education
Observation date: 12/10/07
Number of species: 26
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Northern Goshawk 1
American Woodcock 1
Mourning Dove 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 10
Field Sparrow 2
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 50
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 1
Purple Finch 5
House Finch 10
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 10
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