About Oxley Nature Center:
http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org/
Oxley Nature Center is a 300 acre nature preserve located in north-central Tulsa, tucked away inside the larger, 900 acre city park, Mohawk Park. The preserve contains over 8 different trails, a viewing platform overlooking Lake Sherry, a newly remodeled visitors' center, two photographic blinds, and two "sister sites" within the area. Personally, I find that ONC contains the most diverse array of birds in Tulsa County, mainly due to the multiple habitats found in the preserve.
Below is a link to a trail map of ONC:
http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org/images/trailsoxley.jpg
Lake Sherry, the small lake on the east side of the preserve, provides one with excellent oppurtunities to see shorebirds and waterfowl. The photographic blinds and observation deck located alongside the lake are invaluable tools for observing birds in the area. The photographic blinds are located on the "Blue Heron Trail", the observation deck can be accessed from either the "Coal Creek Trail" or the "Marsh Trail". Another good spot for watching waterfowl (a scope is recommended) is the "Lake Trail" which runs along the north edge of Lake Sherry.
Blackbird Marsh lies directly south of the Lake Sherry observation deck. A raised wooden boardwalk runs through the marsh, providing a fantastic position from which to view wetland wildlife. The "Marsh Trail" encompasses this boardwalk with the observation deck lying at one end and the "Coal Creek Trail" at the other.
At the northwest corner of ONC lies an area known as the "Wildlife Study Area", comprised of several trails: "Bird Creek Trail", "Lynda's Trail", and the "Yellow Warbler Trail". The trails in this area are less developed than the others in ONC and the terrain is slightly rougher. The area is heavily wooded and is a prime habitat for many different types of songbirds. Bird Creek is visible from much of the trail and offers one a chance to see wading birds and kingfishers.
The "Meadowlark Prairie Trail" runs through a small tallgrass field, reaching its terminus at the newly rennovated visitors' center. The area is great for viewing prairie birds like the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, bluebirds, and numerous species of sparrows.
March 10th Excursion
When I arrived at ONC at 12:50 pm the temperature was hovering close to 70 degrees. If only it had been so warm 2 hours later...
I began by walking along Coal Creek from Mohawk Park to the southwest trailhead of the Coal Creek Trail. Along the creek I heard several Downy Woodpeckers, a Northern Flicker, and an Eastern Phoebe. Eventually, I was able to spot the phoebe, who was perched above Coal Creek bobbing his tail and looking for a meal. While walking along the flowline I observed a Great Blue Heron flying away from Coal Creek.
I joined the Green Dragon Trail and headed northeast towards Lake Sherry. More than two dozen Song Sparrows were seen flitting and hopping about in the woody undergrowth. Closer to Coal Creek I saw several Swamp Sparrows. While sitting quietly in some of the taller grass I spotted what looked to be Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk gliding about in the forest, but unfortunately in moved away from me making identification difficult.
I eventually reached the Blue Heron Trail which I followed north to the larger of the two photographic blinds. From there I was able to view the waterfowl bonanza that had congregated on Lake Sherry. The largest group were the Gadwall, which numbered around 120. Smaller groups of Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, and Canada Geese could be observed foraging in the shallow sections of Lake Sherry. A couple of Kildeer were observed foraging along the west bank of the lake.
Along the shore several pairs of what looked like Short-bill Dowitchers were observed probing the muddy banks for food. I am not very confident in my shorebird identification, so I will not add the dowitcher to my Ebird entry for 3/10/2009. Hopefully in the future I will be able to view this group more often and develop some sort guide for identification.
Unfortunately, this was about the time that the temperature was shifting. I had dressed for warm weather ("I sure hope I don't get too hot today.."), so I wasn't very prepared for birding in the cooler weather. On my walk back I was able to watch a male Belted Kingfisher sit on a small perch above Coal Creek vocalizing his distinctive rattle-call.
Around 15-17 species were noted during the two hour outing at ONC on 3/10. This is a good number of birds to spot given the stretch of time, but for an ONC outing it was a bit low. The shift in temperatures was disapointing, but I enjoyed the warm,sunny weather while it lasted. No new species were spotted this time.
Bird Count:
Location: Mohawk Park--Oxley Nature Center Observation date: 3/10/09 Number of species: 25
Canada Goose - Branta canadensis 6
Gadwall - Anas strepera 120
American Wigeon - Anas americana 10
Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors 9
Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata 75
Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca 20
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus 1
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 2
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 1
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 1
Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus 3
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2
Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis 4
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 1
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 1
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis 1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 20
Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana 1
Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis 2
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 3
Photo:
An early morning picture taken near Lake Sherry from July 2008. The area is technically Mohawk Park.
-SPQ 3/11/2009
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