Back in April, I once again contemplated what my next “patch” would be.

During the spring, I continued to check each of these local parks regularly, trying to decide which of them would become my second local patch (in addition to Hedgehog Mountain Park).

1) Winslow Park, Freeport:
- no additions, list stands at 110. Limited habitat for migrants precludes spring birding success.

2) Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal:
- of course I was here regularly through the end of the hawkwatch, and I picked up a couple of new additions as they migrated by the summit.
#108: Bobolink, 5/6.
#109: Indigo Bunting, 5/15.

3) Bayview Preserve, Yarmouth:
- no additions, list stands at 129.

4) Florida Lake Park, Freeport:
- it was a great season at Florida Lake, with a lot of very good birding, and a few nice additions to the patch list.
#124: Cape May Warbler, 5/5
#125: Solitary Sandpiper, 5/14
#126: Wood Thrush, 5/21.

5) Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth:
- this was the first spring that I spent considerable time here, so the list grew steadily.
#115: Solitary Sandpiper, 5/9.
#116: Northern Mockingbird, 5/9.
#117: Brown Thrasher, 5/9.
#118: Wood Thrush, 5/12.
#119: Willow Flycatcher, 5/31.

I also added Solitary Sandpiper to my Hedgehog Mountain Park list on 5/14 (I seems that it was a very good spring for Solitary Sandpipers!), bring that total to 125. The original plan was to add a second patch to my weekly itinerary, but even after putting considerable time and effort into making a decision this spring, I could not come to a conclusion. However, I did realize how much I preferred casually birding my local patches, instead of running around all the time twitching rarities (not that I am adverse to such endeavors once in a while!) or driving to and from parks that are over a half-hour away, etc. Therefore, I have simply decided to keep patch lists for ALL of them!

As I mentioned earlier, “patch listing” makes one become finely attuned to a specific area. I know exactly where in Hedgehog Mountain Park that the Black-throated Blue Warblers prefer, and I know exactly what group of Hemlocks the Blackburnian Warbler prefers. This knowledge came in handy today, when I guided for Connie and Becky of the St. Louis, Missouri area.

Some of the target birds for the day were things that are common, but local. The other factor is that Becky had recently broken her leg – my usual death-marching style was not in the cards today. Therefore, I called upon my familiarity with local patches to find birds close to roads and/or parking lots. Common birds like Chestnut-sided Warblers and Wood Thrushes can be excruciatingly difficult to find when you’re LOOKING for them! Plus, I couldn’t just take a long walk in the woods, hoping to run into one. So, today, we did “hit-and-run” birding.

After getting full-scope views of Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows at our first stop in Sprawlborough Marsh, we checked Pine Point for Roseate Tern, but unfortunately not a single tern was to be seen today. Secret spots produced then provided great views of Blackburnian Warbler, and Willow and Alder Flycatchers side-by-side. Then, a roadside ditch, which I pass on my Pownal “neighborhood” loop produced the expected Chestnut-sided Warbler. Tick!

Knowing Hedgehog Mountain Park as well as I do, I was able to pull out Wood Thrush and Blue-headed Vireo within about 150 yards of the parking lot, and then the reliable Canada Warbler at Florida Lake Park finished up the morning.

Happily, out of our 11 targets for the day, Roseate Tern and Least Flycatcher turned out to be our only misses. I’ll take 9 for 11 anytime, and I fully credit my interest in patch-listing – and inherent knowledge of a specific area that can only be developed by birding it so regularly – for my excellent batting average today! (That, and some real good, ol’fashioned pure luck!).