This morning’s survey began at 5:02 am in the village of Hockley in threatening rain and ended just south of Barrie. We had rain on occasion and warm temperatures during the almost 5 hours of bird finding in this largely agricultural area.

MYSTERY BIRD I will identify it at the end of the post.

With so many old fields, it was clear that we would find three species of birds who prefer this habitat.

Savannah Sparrow:

Bobolink:

Eastern Meadowlark:

Other birds:

Snails:

Some botany:

MYSTERY BIRD The two rings around the neck identify this as a Killdeer.

NATURE POETRY

There, there is quietness

       pearl-soft rain and dried waving 

       grass, fresh pine winds

       needling pungent responses

       from tree, rock and earth; – J. Barbara

Miles Hearn