Sampson SP 4/26/25

Steve & Linda, Holly, Lyn, Leslie, Kevin, Steve & Lori met at Sampson State Park on a gray Saturday morning looking for Spring migrants and water birds. 

As we waited for later arrivals, a Kildeer was circling the area, calling loudly. Looking for the possible reason for this, we spotted what could only be its mate hunkering down in the gravel path about 100' off the parking area. A good start, for sure.

The lake was completely covered in fog, so we forewent a look along the shore and headed into the old residential area of the base. Saw a few species and heard more. After a bit, we walked on the lakeside footpath and were very happy to see several migrants (FOY for some of us), including three warblers (see list).

Access to the lake from here confirmed that it was almost completely fogged in, and that what little water could be seen was devoid of waterfowl.

Rain and grumbling bellies ended our outing; I don't think anyone went away unsatisfied.

40 Species

Canada Goose  2

Mourning Dove  4

Chimney Swift  3

Killdeer  3     Observed to be settling down into a scrape about 40 yards from our parking area. Alternately, it flew, along with a possible mate, around our cars, uttering the Killdeer version of displeasure.

Ring-billed Gull  5

Common Loon  1 

Green Heron  1

Great Blue Heron  4

Osprey  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  4

Downy Woodpecker  2

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker  4

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  5

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  11

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

Carolina Wren  2

Gray Catbird  6     Seen and heard by multiple participants of the group.

Brown Thrasher  1

Northern Mockingbird  1

Eastern Bluebird  1

American Robin  14

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  5

Field Sparrow  8

Dark-eyed Junco  1

White-throated Sparrow  3

Song Sparrow  2

Eastern Towhee  7

Red-winged Blackbird  2

Brown-headed Cowbird  5

Rusty Blackbird  1

Common Grackle  3

Yellow Warbler  7

Pine Warbler  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler  13

Northern Cardinal  12

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