Leopold’s Preserve – March 14, 2026

The early spring morning offered a perfect canvas for our field trip at Leopold’s Preserve. Twenty-six birders showed up for a walk in the mixed wetland-grassland environment. 

Over at the wetland, the songs of Red-winged Blackbirds filled the air. In spite of the winds, Turkey Vultures, raptors, and a big flock Common Grackles soared high, and Song Sparrows surveyed the field from short snags. A good mix of Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, and the newly-arriving Wood Ducks foraged and cavorted in the pond, as well as one shy American Coot. Some noticed one goose among the Canada Geese that was heftier, had a white face, pink bills, and, when it stood up briefly, pink legs and flippers. The group later identified it as a Graylag x Canada Goose hybrid. Looking closely, one could see the neck “folds” on this individual, like the Graylag.

Like clockwork, the first-of-the-season Eastern Phoebe and Tree Swallows have returned. It is still early, however, as the Yellow-rumped Warblers found throughout the Preserve have yet to shed their winter plumage. 

Woodpeckers were mostly quiet in the grassland, perhaps because of the increasing winds. We caught a glimpse of a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers chasing each other. Nearby, high in the bare branches, an immature Purple Finch sang its garbled song. 

The group returned to the edge of the pond to look for the hiding coot but could not find it. As we gave up and started the tally at the observation platform over the pond, three American Coots swam into view. We had a total of 47 species and one taxa (the hybrid), not bad for a day on the cusp of spring migration! 

-Karen Pro

eBird Checklist – 14 Mar 2026 – Leopold’s Preserve – 47 species (+1 other taxa)