Tag Archives: birding at bass lake park

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Tree swallows at Bass Lake and Suggs farm in Holly Springs NC

Recently, I took a birding trip to Bass Lake Park to spend time with the Tree Swallows again.


They were busy feeding their little ones and were quite active throughout the morning.
Luckily I was able to snap off a few pics and video of this handsome guy sitting on a fence rail.
He wasn’t alone however, scroll down to see the other bird species who landed right next to this little guy!



A spring and summer resident of North Carolina, Tree Swallows inhabit open fields near bodies of water such as ponds or marshes, where there is a good amount of flying insects to eat. They nest in the holes of dead and live trees, as well as Bluebird boxes, holes in fence posts, and under the eaves of houses and barns.
Their breeding range extends across most of North America, while its winter range stretches from the southern coastlines of the United States into Mexico and Central America.

Come October, Tree Swallows will gather together in huge flocks consisting of thousands of birds to migrate south.
For today though, spring has just begun so we’ve still got plenty of opportunities to enjoy these lovely birds in the months ahead!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

Eastern Bluebirds at suggs Farm in Holly Springs NC

A sure sign of the changing of the season, the Eastern Bluebirds have begun the hunt for nesting spots here in North Carolina.
If you haven’t put out your Bluebird box yet, now is the time to do so!

The Eastern Bluebird is a familiar sight to many all across the Tarheel state throughout the year. They are just as likely to be found looking for a meal at the woodlands edge, open field’s and pastures as in our own suburban backyards.
I spotted this one perched near its nest box on a fence at Suggs Farm in Holly Springs NC last week. The group and I enjoyed watching him for several minutes as he flew back and forth between the fence line and it’s box.


As tree cavity dwellers, eastern bluebirds will nest high up in old woodpecker holes and in dead trees abutting open meadows, but of course these birds are well adapted to using the nest boxes that we put up every year.
To entice these beauties to make a home in your yard, install a southeast facing box to shield the entrance hole away from the prevailing wind and weather. The nicest boxes are made of cedar or recycled plastic, will have brass hinges, predator guards, and elevated mesh floor to protect the chicks from blowflies.  
It’s best to place the box in an open area five to six feet off the ground.  
If you can, mount the nest box on a pole or 4×4 post with baffles to protect against predators too!

By the way, spring migration is coming!
Wanna join me out there?
Bird loving photographers of all skill levels are invited to take part in all the trips I’ve got scheduled for 2021 in North Carolina.
Make sure you check out my upcoming birding tours list here on the BWNC website and reserve your spot today!


Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Pine Siskens are here in North Carolina

It seems like Pine Siskins have taken over our bird feeders here in central North Carolina.
I spotted this one at Bass Lake Park last week.
It was interestingly rather tame and allowed me to snap off a couple of pics at close range.



These energetic little finches are an irruptive species, which means that they move in irregular patterns throughout the winter months. Although these small fiches can be found in many parts of the U.S. and Canada in varying numbers throughout the winter, by all accounts they seem to be flocking in unusually huge numbers in the lower 48 this year.
But why?
From what I understand there is a shortage of conifer seeds occurring across Canada’s boreal forest which has caused the birds to migrate south in greater numbers than what’s usually expected.



When they first appeared here in the Tarheel State last month, I had scores of people messaging me on how to attract them to their backyard feeders (unshelled sunflower, Nyjer & Thistle seeds from any Finch blend will do).



Now, my inbox is full of people asking me how to get rid of them since it’s become quite common to have a flock of 50 or more birds at a time going to town on our birdseed (take your feeders down for about 2 weeks and the flock will likely depart in search of an easier meal).

In any event, I for one am glad to see them. It’s been many years since I’ve seen one in my own yard. I’m fascinated by how migrating birds connect us with other countries.
Love them or loathe ‘em, they are an interesting little bird for sure!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Grey cheeked Thrush at Bass lake Park

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Now here’s a bird I was not expecting to find during my visit to Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs NC, a Gray cheeked Thrush!



I was walking along the trail at the southwest corner of the lake when I saw a flash of white with splotchy belly spots flutter in the branches above my head. Quickly I raised my camera to try and grab a photograph of the bird but it had disappeared.
I assumed that this was a Hermit Thrush given the area and time of year but wanted to be sure.
Standing there under the tree I waited for about 10 minutes to see if this bird would reappear.
Patience paid off because all of a sudden, there it was!
Right off the bat, I knew this wasn’t a Hermit Thrush because of it’s uniformly darker color, streaked breast and lack of distinct eye-ring.
Although the photos I ended up with aren’t the greatest, it was exciting for me to see this bird for the first time!


Gray cheeked Thrushes breed in coniferous forest across northeast Siberia, Alaska, northern Canada to north-central Quebec, Labrador, and Newfoundland, all the way south to northern British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
During the autumn they’ll pass through North Carolina on the way south towards their wintering grounds in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and into northwest Brazil.


These shy birds are one of the least studied among the spotted Thrush species as very little is known about their behavior in their winter range.
Such a shame because this is quite a lovely bird!
Want to see one too?
Look for them in mature hardwood forests near water next year as they pass through the eastern United States from early to mid May along their journey north during the spring migration.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

A fledgling Chickadee at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs N.C.

Made another trip out to Bass Lake Park this morning and was delighted to find a family of Chickadees playing in the leaves above my head.
This is one of the youngsters who was almost completely tame. He flew right up close to me and didn’t mind one bit having his photo taken 🙂

The Chickadee is a year round resident of North Carolina. They are found throughout the state from the mountains to the coast foraging for meals in the woods and in our own backyards.
These energetic little dynamos are fond of seeds and insects alike, and will happy dine on whatever they can find in our feeders.
They’ll often travel in mixed flocks of Titmice, Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers and will act like scouts to check out a new feeding area ahead of the rest of the birds.
Once they’ve made the decision that the area is clear from predators they’ll call out to the rest of the flock to move in.
Tiny but brave!

Photo by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Instagram Birding, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

A Prothonotary warbler at bass lake Park

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It’s always great to start a morning of birding with a singing Prothonotary Warbler at your side! I returned to Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs this morning to see if I could find these gorgeous Warblers again and was rewarded with these few moments of @canonusa birding zen 🙂 The Prothonotary Warbler is a springtime resident of central North Carolina. As was the case with this handsome fellow, they are usually found near ponds and swamps searching for insects and grubs. During late April and early May, their trilling notes are a familiar song throughout the Triangle. Get out and see them while you can! Video by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc Canon 5DS 600mm . . . . #birdnerd #birdsofinsta #birdsofinstagram #ncwildlife #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchers #bird #birds #ncbirding #ncbirds #ncbirdwatching #canon #canon5ds #ncoutdoors #ncnature #canonwildlife #ncwildlifephotographer #northcarolinabirding #birdwatchingnc #northcarolinabirds #audubonsociety #birdoftheday #warbler #warblers #warblersofinstagram #prothonotarywarbler #basslakepark #nature_perfection #canonvideo

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Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Wintertime birding at Bass Lake Park, Holly Springs N.C.

By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching NC

I really enjoy birding in the wintertime here in central North Carolina. It’s great to get outside and see all of the best birds without the obstruction of leaves getting in the way, lol! One of my favorite spots is Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs.

Recently I made a trip out here to see what birds I could find. The highlight of the morning was definitely a Hermit Thrush!

Hermit Thrush

I had such a nice bird watching experience that I ended up making a video which you can watch below.

Here is a map of Bass Lake Park. I suggest that you stick to the western side of the water to find the best birds.

Come birding with me in 2020! I’ve got some guided tour opportunities coming for Bass Lake Park in the next few months. Check out the link below for dates and trip information.

https://birdwatchingnc.com/birdwatching-n-c-trips-birding-in-north-carolina/birding-at-bass-lake-park-trip/

Happy Birding!

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Wintertime birding at Bass lake Park : Yellow-rumped Warbler

Finding small birds in the trees is a whole lot easier now that the leaves have fallen here in central N.C.
I spotted this Yellow-rumped Warbler at Bass Lake in Holly Springs a few days ago as I was walking around the water. It’s subdued winter plumage actually makes for pretty good camouflage against the grey tree limbs but it’s pretty yellow colors gave it away instantly when silhouetted against the blue sky.



Yellow-rumped Warblers are one of the most versatile foragers of all warbler species.
They are the warbler you’re most likely to see fluttering out from a tree to catch flying insects in the autumn, yet they’re also quick to switch over to eating berries and suet from our feeders in the winter.


Yellow-rumped Warblers can also be found picking at insects in washed-up seaweed along North Carolina’s beaches, skimming insects from the surface of lakes, canals and even gleaning gnats off of shoreline waves of the Atlantic.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

‘Tis the season for Ruby Crowned Kinglets in central N.C.

Check out this beautiful little Ruby-crowned Kinglet that I photographed at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs N.C. a couple of days ago.
She was very curious about my presence on the trail and stopped moving just long enough for me to grab a couple of photos while she snacked on some berries.


The tiny sized Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest birds in North America. They are filled with energy bouncing from limb to limb like golf balls on a side walk.
Always on the move, their quick movements can make it hard to spot their ruby red crowns, which are normally flattened down, but when these birds catch sight of a competitor or predator, up goes their bright red mohawk.
Fierce little fighters, Kinglets will defend challengers three times their size, particularly when it comes to retaining a good food source.


Kinglets actually have a good reason to be constantly on the move: they’ve got a hyperactive metabolisms which requires them to eat almost constantly.
In fact, if these little birds are deprived of food, they could lose nearly a third of its body weight in just 15 minutes!
Eat like a bird, indeed!


Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

A red-shouldered Hawk at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs, N.C.

By: Sally Siko-Admin Birdwatching NC

A few days ago, while visiting Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs N.C. I found a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting on a low branch right next to the trail.
Viewing this beautiful bird from less than 20 feet away, I was surprised to see her up close as she was focused on scanning the area for prey, totally unbothered by my presence.
I stood there for about 5 minutes watching before something in the bushes behind her caught her attention and she flew off to investigate.
Just awesome!



Here in central North Carolina, Red-shouldered Hawks are often found in deciduous forests, along the tree lines of open fields and near small to medium sized bodies of water( the habitat here at Bass Lake Park is a great example).
They prefer to hunt in places where the lower part of the forest canopy is relatively open, which gives a perched hawk an unobstructed view of the ground below.
Like the bird featured in this post, Red-shouldered Hawks are commonly seen perching on low level branches, still as a statue watching for movement on the ground.
Once prey is targeted, they’ll dive straight down onto it or glide in on an angle from the side.
Because these hawks are relatively less agile in the air than other raptors (such as Red Tailed and Sharpies), their diet includes a much smaller percentage of birds.
Having extra room to deftly maneuver through the trees while flying is another reason why they prefer to hunt in habitats with un-thicketed forest floors or grasslands.