Rt. 220 and Millbrook Marsh 1/4/2011

This afternoon I decided to drive down Rt. 220 towards the Bellefonte exit to see if the Rough-legged Hawk was still around. I couldn't find the rough-legged, but observed 7 Red-tailed Hawks and 2 American Kestrels along the highway.

I headed to Millbrook Marsh after searching for the rough-legged and came up with 14 species in 40 minutes. The highlight at the marsh was a pair of Swamp Sparrows foraging in the dead cattails. Below is a list of species followed by a few photos from the marsh.

Location:     Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Observation date:     1/4/11
Number of species:     14

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     35
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura     3
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     5
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor     1
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus     1
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     1
American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea     3
Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana     2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis     4
House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus     1
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     5

Blue Jay (Millbrook Marsh 1/4/2011)

Northern Mockingbird (Millbrook Marsh 1/4/2011)

American Tree Sparrow (MIllbrook Marsh 1/4/2011)

After birding today, I brought my Centre County and Big Year lists to 26 species.