Birding at Paynes Prairie State Preserve

While walking around and hiking the two days we stayed here we did some casual birding. Around the lake area we saw a number of Yellow-rumped warblers. We checked out the area two days in a row, continuing to see them and not catching a glimpse of any other species hanging around. We passed a man who told us he saw an eagle soaring over the lake, but the eagle moved on by the time we arrived.

While hiking we heard a number of Towhees, Parulas, and even some Sandhill Cranes passing overhead. Our best birding took place at the junction of the road leading to the visitor center where Lake Trail meets it. We saw activity everywhere, mostly Yellow-rumped warblers again but this time a definite mix.

We finally saw a Parula there, and a lone Prairie Warbler (at least he was the only one we saw) fed for some time in the area, peering around branches and leaves to check out the camera.

I still haven’t developed the discipline of keeping good field notes on species seen when we do casual walks and hikes. That definitely needs to be on my To Do list of skills to develop.

 The overhead insects held more interest than me and my camera.

It took several shots to get this one. Not only did he stay in the leaves, but the wind kept fooling the autofocus so I ended up on manual.