Broad Meadow Brook (11/5)

I got up early on Saturday morning and headed over to BMB. I parked on Dunkirk and started my walk down the stretch. It was a cold morning and the vegetation along the path was all covered with frost. I headed back and crossed the bridge to the wet meadow. Lots of sparrows were flittering about in the bushes and a small flock of Cedar Waxwings flew overhead.

Just off the wet meadow I stumbled upon a pair of Hermit Thrushes. Its getting really late in the year for these guys but they looked to be in good health. I watched them for a minute or so until they flew deeper into the woods. I continued into cleared area and took some pictures of the bare trees.

Then, I doubled back and headed down Cardinal Trail. The greeen moss that bordered the trail was a welcome sight. I even found some new mushrooms poking up thru the carpet. Bunches of red sumac berries also stood out from the rest of the gray landscape.

I hiked to the top of the hill and then started down the powerlines. I'm astonished how well the meadow had recovered from last fall's cut. Most of the area had filled in with natives: wood lillies, milkweed, asters. Now most of it has gone to seed. But, I was convinced that I could still find something in bloom. And, after a few minutes of searching I did find one small bloom of Goldenrod.

Anyhow, all of the seed was good for the animals who live in the habitat. I heard a small group of Eastern Bluebirds as the flew over my head en route to the brook. I also found another pair of Hermit Thrushes and, surprisingly, what I'm pretty sure was a female Common Yellowthroat.

After hiking the powerlines, I made my way back down to Trioano Brookside Trail. At the start of the trail I heard a Brown Creeper in the woods by I couldn't locate it. Along the brook I heard a Red-bellied Woodpecker in the trees and saw a Downy Woodpecker searching for food on the dead trees along the water. I even found another wildflower which I think is Common Yarrow.

I got back to Dunkirk Ave. just as my family drove up. So, we decided to retrace my route in reverse. And, it was a good idea since we found a lot of birds that I originally missed. We had a Hairy Woodpecker along the brook and were treat to a great show by some Golden-crowned Kinglets on Cardinal Trail. As we headed out, we spotted a couple of Turkey Vultures rocking back and forth as they soared southward. Just a great end to the day.

Birds: American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Blue Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Mallard, Northern Cardinal, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinch, Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, Common Yellowthroat.