Sandhill Cranes Return

The cranes made a return to a nearby location this summer.  Just when we thought we wouldn't see them!

Photo: Patrick Comins

Winter Birds

On Saturday January 18th we headed out for a walk around the property in hopes of finding some of the birds that call Aton Forest home for the winter.  Joining John and myself were Mike Aurelia (AF President) and birder Ayerslea Denny.  Here's what we saw (and heard):

1. Great horned owl
2. Downy woodpecker
3. Blue jay
4. American crow
5. Black-capped chickadee
6. Tufted Titmouse
7. Red-breasted nuthatch
8. White-breasted nuthatch
9. Eastern bluebird
10. American robin
11. Dark-eyed junco
12. Purple finch
13. American goldfinch

- Ryan Williams (Conservation Assistant)

A male Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus)

Attack of the Woodcock

At our last Naturalist Gathering we were lucky enough to flush not one but three woodcock from the shrub lands surrounding Aton Forest Headquarters.  Though these bird's entertaining breeding rituals have came and went, they still persist in their preferred scrubby habitat.  These sightings were certainly welcomed by all of the folks who came by that Thursday, though some of us almost got clipped by one particular woodcock that flew right at us.  Everyone walked away without a scrape, but it was close.  Just another exciting wildlife encounter at the forest.

American Woodcock