8:10 AM
Cedar Grove Industrial Park is a interesting place to look for birds and other wildlife. It is south of Shepherdsville at exit 116 off of I-65. Part of the site is developed into an industrial park with huge warehouses, but just as much of the site is weedy, shrubby, and wooded. I usually go out there on the weekends when there is less activity and truck traffic.
The birds were singing up a storm even though I was there around midday. All the species you would expect in this type of habitat were represented in good numbers, birds like: Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Field Sparrows. There is a small creek that runs through the site and it was still swollen with water from all the rain we've been having. The creek attracts other birds like Eastern Phoebe, Indigo Bunting, and Blue Grosbeak. Below is a common bird and not-so-common bird. I'm sure everyone knows the American Robin but I bet few of you have seen the Lark Sparrow below.
Lark Sparrows are more of a western and great plains bird and their range barely extends into Kentucky. They are sometimes seen in western Kentucky but are pretty rare up here. I suspect the reason I found them at Cedar Grove is because of the type of habitat that is out there. It is a real unique kind of field with small pine trees, large bushes, grasses, and exposed shale gravel. This is perfect habitat for the Lark Sparrow and is not a habitat type that is seen too often around here.
One of my favorite things about Cedar Grove is the shale quarry. There is a big hole dug out of the side of a hill where they are mining shale for construction. The little nooks and crannies in the rocks create great nesting spots for Northern Rough-winged Swallows. They can be seen flying all over, zooming past within feet of your head, and just as quickly be out of sight, nestled deep in the rock face. They were flying so fast I failed to get a picture of them, but do yourself a favor and check out quarry and swallows.
Look close in the picture below, there is a Rough-winged Swallow sitting on the rocks. That was about the only time I could catch one sitting still.
Below is a video I made of some of the things I saw at Cedar Grove today. Hope you enjoy. :)
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16 comments:
...loved the shot of the Lark Sparrow--they don't show up in photos too often it seems!
Love the video - nice mix of natural sounds and music. Makes me feel very peaceful!
@Kelly - Lark Sparrows are a pretty rare find east of the Mississippi River so maybe that is why they don't show up much in photographs. The birds I photographed were super cooperative.
@Kristi - Thanks much. Check out my other videos on Vimeo
Great photos- I love the video!
By the way, I am a fellow Kentuckian :)
That is a jaw dropping good video Ryan! It held me from beginning to end.
You've chosen a fascinating site to collect your photographs. Bravo!
Great post! Love the photo of the Lark Sparrow. The video is awesome!
loved the beautiful buds and butterflys in the video. very pretty! wish the lark sparrow would have 'spoken' :)
Beautiful photos! :) I could not see the svallow in the rocks...but that photo was great anyway :)
Never seen a Lark Sparrow!! Beautiful catch!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
The Lark Sparrow is a beautiful little bird. A lovely series.
Very interesting habitat and great photos of the birds.
Great shots! It looks like a great place to go birding. Lovely nature video!
Great birds and photos. I would love to see the Lark Sparrow!
That lark sparrow is fantastic looking...I really enjoyed the beautiful video
I love the Lark Sparrow. Some of the most beautiful birds are found in the most unlikely places.
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