Birding Southside Wastewater

Patterson Park was almost birdless (not even a phoebe) so I spent most of my morning on the Wastewater fields south of Apple Avenue, primarily at the abandoned orchard north of the silo by the clay pond. 

There were plenty of birds and a nice diversity of species (28), not surprising considering the plentiful supply of fruit back there.

Species included a Great Egret south of the Clay Pond, 28 Sandhill Cranes on the field southeast of the airport, a female Belted Kingfisher on the far side of the Clay Pond with prey in her beak ...

Blurry distant shot of kingfisher with something (fish? frog?)

... Great Crested Flycatcher, 150-200 Tree Swallows on the field north of the Seba Road woodlot, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Chipping, Field and Song Sparrows, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, this female or immature male (?) at the orchard ... 

... Indigo Bunting, some large flocks of blackbirds and American Crows, and several Monarch butterflies.

- Ric