Ducks and sparrows are arriving now that the "neotropical" migrants have departed for South and Central America. The cheerfully plaintive song of the White Throated Sparrow now accompanies us in our walk in the woods, compact flocks of Cedar Waxwings fly from treetop to treetop, and American Goldfinch are now seen and heard. Brown Creeper, Brown Headed Nuthatch and in some years Red Breasted Nuthatch are seen and heard. In addition to the common Carolina Wren, Winter Wren and other wintering wrens are seen. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Field Sparrow and Eastern Towhee are seen. On the ponds and lakes, you may see Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant and Belted Kingfisher. Keep in mind that the gates to Mayes Lake are sometimes closed for days at a time in Winter and early Spring due to high water on the Pearl River.
Other Possible Birds
Some of the favorite finds in wintering woodland birds include Orange Crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Catbird. Sometimes on the lakes or in the river we find Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Scaup, Bufflehead and Northern Shoveler.
