Field Trip Recap: North Park Village Nature Center

 

words by Kris Hansen

It was a big day for Nashville Warblers when 12 people joined COS board member Vinod Babu for a bird walk at North Park Village Nature Center on May 3. While it was chilly, the sky was blue, and the big trees by the parking lot were already hopping with warblers, including the first of many Nashvilles.

A Northern House Wren serenaded us from a nearby post, and Babu noted that it was now a separate species from the Southern House Wrens in Central and South America.

Red-bellied Woodpecker. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, North Park Village Nature Center, May 3, 2025.

Members of the woodpecker family greeted us at the rear of the nature center. A Red-bellied Woodpecker—or perhaps two—popped in and out of a tree cavity that looked like a good nesting spot. A Northern Flicker loitered nearby, as did a Downy Woodpecker.

Things were a bit quiet as we headed north and then west around the ponds. Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Sparrows swooped for insects, while Red-Winged Blackbirds vigorously defended their perches.

A Northern Waterthrush peeked out from the rushes on the west side of the pond. A Least Flycatcher put our ID skills to the test. A lone Turkey Vulture soared overhead.

Small round bird with yellow cap, white cheeks, white breast with a reddish strip running horizontally from its neck nearly to its rear, and olive yellow wings and back

Chestnut-sided Warbler. Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, North Park Village, May 3, 2025.

Then, bonanza! First we found a tiny mixed flock consisting of a Northern Parula, a Black-throated Green and a Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Small bird seen from below, with blue head and shoulders, golden chin and breast, and white belly with hints of red along sides and at throat, perched on a branch.

Northern Parula. Photo by Madhu Nukathoti, North Park Village, May 3, 2025.

Slightly further on, the warblers emerged: Yellow-Rumped, Orange-crowned, Black and White and a pair of Common Yellowthroats, along with a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and an Indigo Bunting.

Small round bird with golden belly, blue cap, white eye rings connected by stripe over its dark beak, and brown wings with two white wing-bars, perched in a tree.

Blue-eyed Vireo. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, North Park Village Nature Center, May 3, 2025.

As we followed the loop back toward the nature center, we heard and then spotted not one but two Blue-headed Vireos. Soon after we spotted a Great Crested Flycatcher swooping back and forth to its favorite spot.

Robin-sized bird with light brown head, back and wings, white belly, and mixed white and brown on its throat, standing on a fence post.

Veery. Photo by Nick Paarlberg, North Park Village Nature Center, May 3, 2025.

After stopping to admire an enormous oak tree, we turned toward the nature center. Up popped a Veery on top of a woodpile, giving us all great looks to finish the walk. All together we saw 49 species.

 
Field TripKris HansenNorth Park Village