Birding Fort Howard

 I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday

Lately I am been doing some birding or I should say wild goose chasing in local parks in Maryland. This time I went in search of the Common Redpoll.  No luck finding the Redpoll, but we did enjoy walking around the Fort Howard Park. The park has some beautiful views of the water. Also, a park full of Baltimore's history, taking part in the War of 1812 along with Fort McHenry in Baltimore. In the Battle of Baltimore the British landed 4500 men not far from what became Fort Howard. The Americans won this war and the British sailed off the take part in the Battle of New Orleans. Ok, now for a little bit of birds I did see and the pretty scenery.

Earlier in the week the Common Redpoll was seen on the Sweet Gum trees. I will be continue my search for the Cute Common Redpoll hopefully to see it somewhere... someday. We did see some birds: Cardinals, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Chickadees, Carolina Wren, White-throated Sparrows, Juncos, a Fox Sparrow and we saw a few Gadwall ducks on the way out.

Above is some of the history of the park.

There were beautiful views of the river, here it looks more like part of the Chesapeake Bay.

There was a cute garden not far from the children's playground.

It was my choice to make it a great day even though I missed seeing my bird.

Not the best photo of two Cardinals and a Goldfinch, but it is shows all the little balls that fall off of the Sweetgum tree. Each ball has prickly points that open and let seeds out. Apparently the birds love these seeds, now birders are looking for the Sweet Gum trees.

Above I was able to find an American Goldfinch pecking for the Sweetgum seeds.

Pretty sure there is a Pine Siskin on the left and another Siskin on the far right finding the Sweetgum seeds.

So now, I am adding the Common Redpoll to my wish list along with the Red Crossbill and the White-winged Crossbill. I can say I am out there walking which is good exercise, something I have promised myself I would do more of during the New Year.

To see more wonderful photos and mosaics please visit Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday
 Thanks to Mary of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy .  Thanks also for stopping by to see my post.  I wish everyone a happy week!