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Spring has begun, with a riot of color and song as year-round bird species start wooing mates and migrating birds begin to arrive from the South. It should be no surprise that many of them can be found at Six Lakes.
Local bird enthusiasts have been keeping lists, some of which now count more than 100 species of both land birds and water birds on or near the Six Lakes property. Among them are returning migratory species that should be found over the next month, flying by or nesting in Six Lakes, including Ospreys, Eastern Phoebes, Tree Swallows, Chipping Sparrows, and Warblers: Pine, Palm, Yellow-rumped and Black-and-white. By the end of April, many other migrants are possible, including vibrant orange-and-black Baltimore Orioles, catbirds, and more swallows and warblers.
You’re also likely to see Great Blue Herons in flight from their rookery in the tall pine trees over Lake Whitney, less than half a mile away.
In addition, some birds remain in the area all year, including American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Song Sparrows, and American Goldfinches (especially the males after their dull winter feathers have been replaced by bright yellow ones). Among the birds known to nest at Six Lakes are Chipping Sparrows, Gray Catbirds, and Baltimore Orioles, all pictured above.
Best of all: You can see and hear many of these birds even though Six Lakes is fenced off and closed to visitors. We look forward to offering some guided bird-watching in the future, but in the meantime, let us know what you’re seeing and hearing at Six Lakes. |
We are nearly one-third of the way to our goal of 1,000 signatures by May 23 on our