Early Spring at Tinicum

Spring is in the air at John Heinz NWR aka “Tinicum”. A walk around the main impoundment produced many Tree Swallows (above) pairing up, displaying and visiting nest boxes. American Robins, already in pairs, had begun to build their mud nests.

An American Goldfinch (above), whose plumage had yet to attain his vivid colors, was singing away – actually sounding very much like a Yellow Warbler – in an attempt to attract a mate.

Though there have been only a sprinkling of neo-tropics warblers seen so far this spring, it is still a little early and the vast majority have yet to return. However, there was a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (above) getting an early jump on the breeding season, that could be seen putting the finishing touches to their nest.

Currently the big stars of the refuge are the Bald Eagles. Many people have been making the mile-and-a-half walk to the viewing area (above) that the refuge has designated.  It is wonderful to see so many people excited about this, especially those that have only ever known Philadelphia’s “other Eagles”.

We watched the female fly in and feed the two chicks (above) that are now almost a month old. No doubt that these eagles will be more successful this season than those that occupy the stadium a couple of miles away.