On February 19. 2022, a caravan formed to visit four Carmel-Clay parks. Nine birders joined leader Chuck Anderson at 9:00 am at Flowing Well Park, the starting point of the planned Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan. The temperature was a chilly/freezing 16 degrees with a strong north wind – though it was sunny. After donuts to fortify ourselves and brief introductions, the bird hike began.
Flowing Well Park produced 15 species highlighted by two Belted Kingfishers that were chasing each other, a Hairy Woodpecker, and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.
Founders Park was our next stop and we spotted a Dark-eyed Junco and an Eastern Bluebird to add to the total of 15 species for the park.
Our next planned stop was Hazel Landing Park. Our caravan of cars came to an abrupt halt because the White River had overflowed its banks and the water on land had turned to solid ice. We couldn’t get within 100 yards of the parking lot, so we turned the cars around and headed to our final destination, Central Park.
At Central Park we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk and a Swamp Sparrow to bring our total to 11 species for the park.
At 1:00 pm we called it a day. Thanks to all the birders for making it a fun outing. I can’t wait to do it again next year.
Recap and photo courtesy of Chuck Anderson.