Hermann Park Bird Survey

Next Survey: to be determined

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Photographed by Ben Hulsey at Hermann Park

Volunteer Coordinators: Jim Winn and Harlan Evans

The public is invited to join us at Hermann Park on the second Monday morning of each month. There is no charge for these bird walks and children are welcomed. We meet in parking lot "D" on the south side of the Miller Outdoor Theatre stage. From Hermann Park Drive parking lot "D" shares the entrance with parking lot "E". From the fountain in front of Hotel ZaZa, drive around on Hermann Park Dr.(also shown as Golf Course Dr. on some maps) past the Museum of Natural Science and McGovern Centennial Gardens. The entrance to Parking Lot D will be on your right side, just before you get to the large lots in front of the main zoo entrance. The entrance will say Parking Lot "E". Go in there. Parking Lot "D" is behind Lot "E".

Latest Report: March 9

It was a good morning for birding in the Park today. Seventeen birders enjoyed the balmy weather while locating thirty-five (35) species, the same number as seen in March 2019. Sorting out the species were Skip Almoney, Leta and David Barry, Tom Bourne, Dick Brooks, Jane Campbell, Ellen Coombs, Larry Debala, Harlan Evans, Doris Heard, Barbara Massey, Nancy Thompson, Peter Tsan, JR Ridgway, Rob Rogillio, Jim Winn and Jan Yauch.

  -- Jim Winn

Combined Checklist: March 9, 2020
35 Species  

31  Coot, American 
19  Cormorant, Double-crested  
04  Cormorant, Neotropic  
59  Dove, White-winged  
190  Duck, Black-bellied Whistling-  
46  Duck, Ring-necked  
05  Egret, Great  
03  Egret, Snowy  
03  Great Blue Heron
61  Grackle, Great-tailed  
06  Gull, Laughing 
04  Spotted Sandpiper 
04  Hawk, Cooper's  
01  Hawk, Red-tailed  
26 Jay, Blue  
02  Martin, Purple  
04  Northern Cardinals
13  Mockingbird, Northern  
01  Eastern Phoebe
04  Ruby-crowned Kinglet
01  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
10  European Starling
01  American Crow
02  Pigeon, Rock (Feral Pigeon)  
02  Hermit Thrush
01  Carolina Wren
32  Robin, American  
02  Blackbird Species
01  White-eyed Vireo
06  Warbler, Yellow-rumped  
06  Woodpecker, Downy  
02  Red-bellied Woodpecker
87  Duck, Muscovy (Domestic type)
10  Goose, Graylag (Domestic type)  
31  Mallard (Domestic Type)

Notes for Birders

Hermann Park, one the city's oldest and most popular parks, has many attractions not only for people but birds as well. The wooded areas, ponds and bayou attract over 150 species of birds each year. Braes Bayou runs through the 407 park acres. This varied park habitat supports a variety of birds. Commonly found in the park are Mallards, American Coots, Rock Pigeons, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Mourning and White-winged Doves, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, and Great-tailed Grackle.

On the west side of the bayou we find the large McGovern Lake surrounded by various trees—pines, bald cypress, sycamore, red maple, and a variety of oaks. Birds are also drawn to Turk's cap, American beautyberry and yaupon in the understory. At various times throughout the year this habitat attracts Ring-necked Ducks, Cormorants, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Laughing Gull, and Chimney Swifts. Over on the east side of the bayou there are a variety of hard woods including hackberry, oaks, and bald cypress. And the understory includes yaupon, palmetto and coralberry. Seasonal birds seen there include Barn and Cliff Swallows, and various warblers such as Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler and Blackburnian Warbler. Other species seen at the bayou have been Brown Pelican, Least Sandpiper, Osprey and American Pipit.
-- Jim Winn