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I spent several delightful late afternoon and evening hours at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area today, Wednesday, with an enthusiastic new birder (who is well on his way to being very knowledgeable!). We saw or heard 33 species, including 8 that were new to my friend. Willow Flycatcher – Another birder reported a possible sighting of this species. “Our” bird kindly sat on a bare branch and sang repeatedly for us. Black-crowned Night-Heron – three immatures and one adult, at their usual place near the dam by the back parking lot and then flying into a large pine tree Osprey – posing in the dead tree by the back parking lot Great Crested Flycatcher – a family of at least three, just at the start of the east trail Warbling Vireo – at least four together – I’m familiar with this species, but I never heard it make the sound that Sibley describes as Myeeep. These birds were making the noise over and over. We got excellent looks at fledgling begging behavior and watched at least one bird gleaning insects. Northern Rough-winged Swallow – great view of the interesting color pattern on an immature bird perching on a fence Canada Goose Great Blue Heron Great Egret Green Heron Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Mourning Dove Eastern Kingbird Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Marsh Wren Catbird American Robin Gray Catbird European Starling Cedar Waxwing Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow (I’ve reported these birds to eBird.) Maeve Kim Jericho Center