31 July 2023
Yesterday morning’s stroll at Frick Park had nice climate, plenty of individuals and good birds.
Early within the stroll we encountered horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), pictured above, whose flowers are much like these of its family members within the Solanaceae or Nightshade household together with tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant (referred to as aubergine within the UK). Although it’s not a nettle, its widespread identify refers back to the thorns on its leaves. Do you know the leaves scent like potatoes when crushed? Thorns stop me from making an attempt this. (NOTE: This simply in! An article concerning the edible Nightshades in The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jul/31/the-truth-about-nightshades-four-online-myths-about-potatoes-tomatoes-and-aubergines.)
Finest Birds had been a really cooperative yellow billed cuckoo and an elusive inexperienced heron. The cuckoo posed for us, the inexperienced heron zoomed away. Later the heron zoomed in and landed above us close to a second inexperienced heron. Two!
Within the 9 Mile Run valley I marveled at this confluence of a muddy tributary with the primary stem of 9 Mile Run. This, in microcosm, is just like the confluence of the clear-running Allegheny with the muddy Monongahela River at The Level.
Our eBird guidelines is right here and proven under.
Frick Park–9 Mile Run, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Jul 30, 2023 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
1.75 miles, 24 species, 17 individuals
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 2 Attractiveness at considered one of them
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Inexperienced Heron (Butorides virescens) 2
Crimson-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 5
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Crimson-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 3
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 2 Teenager chasing an grownup for meals
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5
Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 5
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 12
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 3
Discipline Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 1
Music Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 7
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 4
Widespread Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 2
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) 1 Feminine seen briefly
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 7
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 3
(pictures by/for Kate St. John)
