By – Stan DeOrsey
On the last full day of summer, with warm temperatures and bright sun, 14 people walked the Green Point WMA in Dresden. Gordon Smith was the leader. As we waited in the parking lot, 45 or more Cedar Waxwings flew overhead then from tree to tree. They, or their cousins, were with us the whole morning … and lots were this years young. There were a number of warblers but mostly high in the trees behind leaves. We had Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, plus Blackpoll and as we walked we picked up Common Yellowthroat, Pine, Redstart, Tennessee, Black-and-white, and Cape May … a good number in all.
We never did see a Bald Eagle but a couple hawks were high and far. A Pileated Woodpecker called multiple times and at least three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen. There were not many sparrows, no Juncos or White-throated, but the bird-of-the-day was a well seen Lincoln’s Sparrow.
There were Canada Geese overhead, but only four Black Ducks. The river had two Great Egrets and one Great Blue Heron.
The complete checklist of the 41 species identified can be seen at https://ebird.org/me/view/checklist/S60028399
Not birds, but an encouraging sight were the dozens of Monarch butterflies which seem to have had the best season in many years.
