On May 12th and 13th , our dedicated team of six birders walked more than 15 miles, many times by trekking over soggy trails in wind and pouring rain. We visited nine beautiful sites in the Wissahickon Creek Watershed: Fort Washington State Park; Carpenter’s Woods, Houston Meadow and the Wissahickon Environmental Center in Fairmount Park; Dixon Meadow Preserve; Four Mills Nature Reserve; Prophecy Creek Park; Briar Bush Nature Center; and the wetlands at Morris Arboretum.

Some highlights of our two days of adventures in the watershed:

  • Hearing the exuberant song of the Brown Thrasher at Fort Washington State Park and finally finding the bird hidden high up in the tree canopy;
  • Hearing and then seeing a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Houston Meadow;
  • Great views of Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows at Dixon Meadow, where we were also treated to the sight of Killdeers in love;
  • Getting five additional species during the challenging weather conditions on Saturday (wind, rain, cold, damp, more rain, fog, soaking wet birds, wet people, etc.), including a Cooper’s Hawk at Prophecy Creek Park and a Green Heron at the Morris Arboretum wetlands.

We received support from family, friends, and fellow birders. The contributions received will enable Wyncote Audubon Society to construct special towers designed to house Chimney Swifts in partnership with local conservation groups!

Pictured are the 2017 Wyncote Audubon Society Birdathon Team – “The Swifts” (left to right): Janet Starwood, Barb Thorp, Madelyne Ray, Judy Stepenaski, Leigh Altadonna. The team also included Lucinda Lea (not pictured)

Photo thanks to David Freed and Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association.