Thirteen people with cameras and binoculars smiling at camera from sidewalk in front of forested area and a gate with a wooden sign over the entrance reading Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

words by Kris Hansen

On an unseasonably warm and sunny morning Oct. 3, 16 birders gathered at Montrose Bird Sanctuary for a bird walk led by COS board member Vinod Babu. Flocks of sparrows and finches streamed high overhead as we gathered at the stile at the entrance. Ring-billed Gulls drifted over from the harbor as we did introductions and welcomed a few new folks to the group.

Large hawk perched in a tree, turning its head over its left shoulder to look at camera. Reddish feathers on its head, back and tail, white feathers on its vent, black hooked bill and yellow talons. — Red-tailed Hawk. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Montrose Bird Sanctuary, Oct. 3, 2025.*

Just inside the sanctuary gate we found Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Red-eyed Vireo, and a group of Northern Flicker. A Red-tailed Hawk sailed into a tree behind the Magic Hedge, providing good looks as we admired the bird’s white vent feathers fluttering in a steady breeze.

The front edge of the the Magic Hedge was fairly quiet, but the Clump hosted our first of several Swainson’s Thrushes. A Blue-Headed Vireo in a nearby tree displayed its distinctive white eye ring, while a Brown Creeper inched up several tree trunks.

From the front of the Clump we spied the Red-tailed and a Cooper’s Hawk in hot pursuit of what we later learned was a Merlin. Deciding to avoid the predators, we worked our way north along the Magic Hedge, finally spotting a flock of warblers—Northern Parula, Magnolia, Palm, Blackpoll, and many Yellow-Rumped. We loitered a long time seeking to identify the flitting birds, which included Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Small slender bird facing left with a large bug in its beak. The bird had a blue head, white eyering and throat, yellow flanks, and dark back with white wing bars. — Blue-headed Vireo. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Montrose Bird Sanctuary, Oct. 3, 2025.*

As we rounded the curve, we found a cluster of lively Swainson’s Thrushes plus more warblers eager to show off for us. Vinod took the opportunity to point out many field marks that helped us identify the birds.

With just enough time to squeeze in the fishhook pier, we walked out toward the distant dots, pointing out the Piping Plover habitat along the way. American Herring Gulls posed next to Ring-bills, demonstrating their larger size. At the far end, we found American Coot, Double-crested Cormorants, and a Redhead.

Small bird with black cap, bill and handkerchief, white cheeks and belly, yellowish sides and dark gray feathers and tail, perched on a twig, looking right. — Black-capped Chickadee. *Photo by Nick Paarlberg, Montrose Bird Sanctuary, Oct. 3, 2025.*

Followed by Black-capped Chickadees hoping for a handout, we returned to the entrance. All told, we spotted a total of 46 species.

Field trip recap: Montrose Point