Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
These are acrobatic birds that like to make mud nests on human structures (such as on the wooden platforms at Lake Herrick). Interestingly, they actually catch insects on their wings. At Lake Herrick, dozens of them can be seen hunting on the water from late March to September. They breed (reproduce) all over the U.S. and overwinter (stay put during winter) throughout most of central and south America.
These are acrobatic birds that like to make mud nests on human structures (such as on the wooden platforms at Lake Herrick). Interestingly, they actually catch insects on their wings. At Lake Herrick, dozens of them can be seen hunting on the water from late March to September. They breed (reproduce) all over the U.S. and overwinter (stay put during winter) throughout most of central and south America.
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
Another rare sighting at Lake Herrick, a pair of these birds are usually spotted in the treetops around the pavilion from April to September. They tend to scan for large insects which, like the barn swallow, they catch on their wings. They breed throughout the U.S. and overwinter in Central and western South America.
Another rare sighting at Lake Herrick, a pair of these birds are usually spotted in the treetops around the pavilion from April to September. They tend to scan for large insects which, like the barn swallow, they catch on their wings. They breed throughout the U.S. and overwinter in Central and western South America.
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus
These birds are known for their haunting spiraling song, which can be heard in late April to early May. They tend to feast on fruiting mulberry trees near the tennis courts by Lake Herrick- they're usually solitary unless the mulberry trees are flowering, and then dozens of them can be seen at once. They breed in Canada's boreal forests and overwinter in Central America.
These birds are known for their haunting spiraling song, which can be heard in late April to early May. They tend to feast on fruiting mulberry trees near the tennis courts by Lake Herrick- they're usually solitary unless the mulberry trees are flowering, and then dozens of them can be seen at once. They breed in Canada's boreal forests and overwinter in Central America.
Blue-winged Teal, Spatula discors
With a wingspan of 16 inches, these are migratory ducks that breed mostly in the prairies of central North America, They overwinter in the coastal southeast and Central America. During migration in April, small flocks (2 to 20 individuals) of these birds can be seen at Lake Herrick, as the lake's surface provides them a place to feed on aquatic plants, seeds and insects.
With a wingspan of 16 inches, these are migratory ducks that breed mostly in the prairies of central North America, They overwinter in the coastal southeast and Central America. During migration in April, small flocks (2 to 20 individuals) of these birds can be seen at Lake Herrick, as the lake's surface provides them a place to feed on aquatic plants, seeds and insects.
Cape May Warbler, Setophaga tigrina
Bright, insect-eating birds that like to glean bugs from flowering tulip poplars. They can be seen solo or as a pair in the trees around the Lake Herrick Pavilion in mid-April. They breed in Canada's boreal forests and overwinter on Caribbean islands.
Bright, insect-eating birds that like to glean bugs from flowering tulip poplars. They can be seen solo or as a pair in the trees around the Lake Herrick Pavilion in mid-April. They breed in Canada's boreal forests and overwinter on Caribbean islands.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata
Also known as Myrtle warblers. They like to feed on insects and small berries, and are often found feeding in small flocks in the evergreen wax myrtles near the boat launch . Similar in size and weight to the Cape May warbler, they have a mass of .35 to .62 ounces and a wingspan length of 4 to 6 inches.
Also known as Myrtle warblers. They like to feed on insects and small berries, and are often found feeding in small flocks in the evergreen wax myrtles near the boat launch . Similar in size and weight to the Cape May warbler, they have a mass of .35 to .62 ounces and a wingspan length of 4 to 6 inches.
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
These are much rarer at Lake Herrick, as only one or two are seen at the lake (mainly near the two coves and the storm water pond) every year during winter. They are small-water birds that dive frequently for aquatic insects and small fish. Their wingspan is between 12 and 15 inches.
These are much rarer at Lake Herrick, as only one or two are seen at the lake (mainly near the two coves and the storm water pond) every year during winter. They are small-water birds that dive frequently for aquatic insects and small fish. Their wingspan is between 12 and 15 inches.
Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
Smaller birds with a wingspan of 6 inches, cedar waxwings are gregarious winter visitors that can be seen from September through May.They are very common at the parking lot at Lake Herrick, as they love to gorge on holly berries there. They are also extremely common at the University of Georgia in general. Interestingly, one of the largest flocks ever recorded in Georgia (20,000 birds) was seen on UGA's campus.
Smaller birds with a wingspan of 6 inches, cedar waxwings are gregarious winter visitors that can be seen from September through May.They are very common at the parking lot at Lake Herrick, as they love to gorge on holly berries there. They are also extremely common at the University of Georgia in general. Interestingly, one of the largest flocks ever recorded in Georgia (20,000 birds) was seen on UGA's campus.
Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinas
These are wetland breeders in boreal forests with a wingspan length of 8 to 10 inches. They like to feed on insects and tree seeds. Unfortunately, they have undergone massive population declines, but a flock of around 50 birds are sometimes seen feeding at Lake Herrick at the muddy lakeshore and surrounding fields.
These are wetland breeders in boreal forests with a wingspan length of 8 to 10 inches. They like to feed on insects and tree seeds. Unfortunately, they have undergone massive population declines, but a flock of around 50 birds are sometimes seen feeding at Lake Herrick at the muddy lakeshore and surrounding fields.
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
These are rather large birds with a wingspan of anywhere between 36 and 54 inches. They commonly inhabit shores of open water and wetlands (in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands). Interestingly, they're an ambush predator that hunts fish and frogs by standing motionless at the lakeshore and then suddenly snatching their prey. They are generally solitary.
These are rather large birds with a wingspan of anywhere between 36 and 54 inches. They commonly inhabit shores of open water and wetlands (in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands). Interestingly, they're an ambush predator that hunts fish and frogs by standing motionless at the lakeshore and then suddenly snatching their prey. They are generally solitary.
Barred Owl, Strix varia
These birds have a distinct sound of 'who-cooks-for-you.' They hunt primarily at night for amphibians and small mammals and are most often spotted by humans near dawn or dusk. Their young fledge (develop wing feathers large enough for flight) the nest in April. They are most often spotted (usually in solitary) between the storm water pond and the lake.
These birds have a distinct sound of 'who-cooks-for-you.' They hunt primarily at night for amphibians and small mammals and are most often spotted by humans near dawn or dusk. Their young fledge (develop wing feathers large enough for flight) the nest in April. They are most often spotted (usually in solitary) between the storm water pond and the lake.
Red Shouldered Hawk, Buteo Lineatus
These are relatively large birds with a wingspan of anywhere between 17 and 24 inches, and, as they're birds of prey, they hunt frogs, small birds and mammals. They're commonly perched in treetops all around the lake. While they're usually solitary, they can be found in pairs engaging in noisy display fights in March.
These are relatively large birds with a wingspan of anywhere between 17 and 24 inches, and, as they're birds of prey, they hunt frogs, small birds and mammals. They're commonly perched in treetops all around the lake. While they're usually solitary, they can be found in pairs engaging in noisy display fights in March.
Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
These birds have a wingspan of 13 inches, and they hunt fish by hovering over the lake and plunge-diving to catch their prey. They're often found sitting on wooden platforms in the cove at Lake Herrick. At times, a pair will chase each other around the lake, all the while making their loud, rattling call.
These birds have a wingspan of 13 inches, and they hunt fish by hovering over the lake and plunge-diving to catch their prey. They're often found sitting on wooden platforms in the cove at Lake Herrick. At times, a pair will chase each other around the lake, all the while making their loud, rattling call.
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius
These migratory birds tend to probe for insects on the muddy shore of the lake and the stormwater pond. They also tend to bob their tails furiously as they walk, They breed along the lakeshore and rivers across the northern U.S. and Canada, and they overwinter in the coastal southeast and central America. Generally seen solitary, bad weather can ground up to 15 birds along the lakeshore.
These migratory birds tend to probe for insects on the muddy shore of the lake and the stormwater pond. They also tend to bob their tails furiously as they walk, They breed along the lakeshore and rivers across the northern U.S. and Canada, and they overwinter in the coastal southeast and central America. Generally seen solitary, bad weather can ground up to 15 birds along the lakeshore.
Green Heron, Butorides virescens
Cousins of the Great Blue Heron, these birds are skulking, colorful herons with a wide wingspan of 17 inches. They like to feed at the lakeshore of Lake Herrick and the stormwater pond for small fish and frogs. They're usually spotted here and throughout much of the eastern U.S. in the summer, but they overwinter in the coastal southeast and Central America.
Cousins of the Great Blue Heron, these birds are skulking, colorful herons with a wide wingspan of 17 inches. They like to feed at the lakeshore of Lake Herrick and the stormwater pond for small fish and frogs. They're usually spotted here and throughout much of the eastern U.S. in the summer, but they overwinter in the coastal southeast and Central America.
Below is a link to a more exhaustive list of birds that have been found at Lake Herrick (as not all bird species that have been sited at Lake Herrick could be included on this page):
Also, check out Gabrielle Poteet's Instagram for more cool art: Gabrielle Poteet