Hinsdale Setbacks Walk #4

--> SVAS took our 4th Saturday morning bird walk of the spring season this morning at the Hinsdale Setbacks. A cold, gray morning may have contributed to a low species total. We observed 38 species overall. An impressive sized flock of swallows were foraging for insects just above the causeway, putting on a show swooping, diving and soaring. We watched a Warbling Vireo work on its nest and a pair of Blue Gray Gnatcatchers come and go from their nest. Redstarts were more frequently heard than seen and an altercation between a couple of male Baltimore Orioles took place right in front of us on the trail. A singing Marsh Wren was our first of the season. The last walk of the spring series will take place next weekend (5/19). In addition to the bird seen at the setbacks, those who met at the Hinsdale Walmart before the walk found a Grasshopper Sparrow singing in the grassy area South of the entry drive. This is the second year in a row this species has been found in this location. Let's hope it finds a mate and sticks around to breed! The complete list is below:

Species	Count
Canada Goose	X
Osprey	1
Bald Eagle	1
Mourning Dove	4
Chimney Swift	1
Belted Kingfisher	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	X
Downy Woodpecker	1
Least Flycatcher	X
Eastern Kingbird	2
Warbling Vireo	X
Blue Jay	2
Fish Crow	1
Tree Swallow	X
Barn Swallow	3
swallow sp.	X
Black-capped Chickadee	2
White-breasted Nuthatch	1
Marsh Wren	1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	2
Wood Thrush	1
American Robin	X
Gray Catbird	6
Black-and-white Warbler	1
Common Yellowthroat	X
American Redstart	2
Yellow Warbler	X
Palm Warbler	1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)	X
White-throated Sparrow	1
Song Sparrow	1
Swamp Sparrow	X
Northern Cardinal	2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	2
Baltimore Oriole	2
Red-winged Blackbird	X
Common Grackle	X
American Goldfinch	2

X = indicates present but not counted.