Date: 5/14/25 1:45 pm From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Blue Grosbeak, Dakota C
Present at the 140th St. marsh area this morning at 7 AM, the Blue Grosbeak was perched at the top of a deciduous tree on the north side of the road, several yards west of the unused gate and pullout. He remained there for at least 10 minutes in full, signature song, before dropping into the deep swale between the fence and the landfill hillside. For some minutes he continued to sing from there; he was not seen to exit.
There is considerable new growth, both in the swale and along the fence line, some of it clearly young trees, as well as shrubs. Equally promising from a forage standpoint, is the number of caterpillar tents in the area. In fact, a Brown Thrasher flew off with a huge beakful of caterpillars. Perhaps the two feisty Eastern Kingbirds at the fence were scrapping over the same goods.
Across on the south side of the road, by the remaining water and expanding tree growth, a Willow Flycatcher was calling from a small tree, and a Green Heron was foraging. One of the Blackbirds whizzed over the road trailing a long strip of plastic, presumably nesting material.
The background chorus included a surfeit of Clay-colored Sparrows and others, as well as Yellow Warbler, Gray Catbird, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Still further west, toward the wastewater treatment plant, there was a series of calls reminiscent of Bell's Vireo, that will need further investigation. In any case, while the former marsh is much missed, there seems to be plenty of reason to keep tabs on the habitat.
