By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching NC

Yates Mill Park in Raleigh is one of my favorite spots to visit along the North Carolina Birding Trail. Boasting at least 3 different habitats within a half mile walk, it’s the kind of place where you can see waterfowl, shore birds, raptors, and song birds all within 30 mins.
The best part is that this is truly a 4 season park which hosts a high number of varied species of birds throughout the year.
Spring, summer, autumn or winter, there is no end to the surprising diversity of bird life.

Yesterday’s trip was no exception!
I set out to go birding in the morning and was rewarded with a trip list yielding 18 species in about an hour. Some of my highlights included a Bald Eagle, Buffleheads, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows and even a pair of Ring-neck Ducks.
Not bad for a quick walk!

One of my favorite encounters was seeing this lovely Brown Thrasher. Normally these secretive birds hang out in the shadowy tangles and thickets, always on the hunt for vine bearing fruits. It can be surprisingly difficult to see them, much less capture a clean photograph, as they lurk amid tangles of vegetation.
Lol, I love how intensely these birds seem to glare in my direction. Such a striking bird 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Come birding with me! I’ve got a few tours scheduled for Yates Mill Park in 2020. Check out the link below for trip details and available dates.