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Trip To Heathwood Fields Near Columbia, SC (2/24/2001)
- To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds@acpub.duke.edu>
- Subject: Trip To Heathwood Fields Near Columbia, SC (2/24/2001)
- From: James Wilson <toadshade@sc.rr.com>
- Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 16:55:52 -0500
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
- User-Agent: Microsoft-Outlook-Express-Macintosh-Edition/5.02.2022
Just had to get out of the house and take advantage of the warm weather.
Went looking for early spring (or late winter) wildflowers and whatever
birds I could find. Saw 2 Red Tailed Hawks circling over the small pond on
the way to Heathwood Hall. Many Cardinals, Titmice and Chickadees were
flitting through the shrubs near the water. The Red Maples were flowering
tinging the winter forest with red. Saw a Flicka and a Red-bellied
Woodpecker in the trees in the duck sanctuary beyond the pond. Farther down
the road, past the pond, I saw a Kildeer flying over the freshly sprouting
fields of wheat. Heard some calls but I'm not good enough to identify what
I heard. Took some pictures of the Henbits and Chickweeds that were growing
at the edge of the fields. Went farther down and turned left on the road
that goes under I-77. Stopped down the way and saw an American Kestrel
sitting atop a shrub. Saw some small birds flocking overhead, bobbing as
they went. I would guess Goldfinches but can't be sure. Moving on down the
road I saw a flock of Ring-billed Gulls in another vibrant green (wheat??)
field. Right past where I-77 crosses, I stopped and took pictures of some
smooth sumac fruit left over from last fall and the only Daffodil in the
whole area. It was brilliant yellow-gold contrasted with the winter grays
and dull browns. Farther down, in another field, I saw a small flock of
Eastern Meadowlarks. I haven't seen Meadowlarks in the last few years so
they were the real treat of the trip. They were mingled in with some
Starlings that were making their usual rasping sounds. I took some more
pictures of some unidentified trees that were just beginning to bud. It was
good to see some green in the gray woods. Saw a few White-throated Sparrows
darting in and out of the bushes near the road as I was driving home.
At home, my 'freguent-flyer' Brown-headed Nuthatches were visiting the
feeders and the brilliant white of the Bradford Pears blooming served as
another reminder that spring is almost here.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
Thanks - James
-- James Wilson
Columbia, SC 29205
Work Email - jew68@71mv.dmh.state.sc.us
http://home.sc.rr.com/toadshade/www/