The Bower Trip Report
- May 30
- 2 min read
The Bird Guy Tours – Trip Report
The Bower • May 30, 2026 5 Guests • 2 hours
Overview
This morning’s Bird Guy Tours walk at The Bower offered a peaceful — albeit breezy — blend of sculpture, native plantings, and late‑spring bird activity. With mild temperatures, soft light, and the garden in a fresh leaf‑out, our group of five enjoyed a relaxed and immersive experience across the property’s shaded paths and open meadow edges.
We covered just under half a mile at an easy pace, stopping often to take in the history and fauna shaped by Bill and Jane Allis, and to enjoy birds, behavior, and the unique ecological design of the landscape.
The wind kept us from hearing the full chorus we know was out there, but sometimes it’s enough simply knowing the birds are present — waiting for us to visit them again.
Trip Highlights
A Broad‑winged Hawk screaming loudly from out of sight — a powerful experience of a forest raptor that often goes unseen beneath the canopy.
Cedar Waxwings making a quick flyover, with 18 individuals moving together across the open space between both ends of the forest‑lined meadow.
Excellent comparisons of flycatchers: Eastern Wood‑Pewee and Eastern Phoebe, with a Great Crested Flycatcher singing high up and out of sight.
A pair of immature Eastern Bluebirds actively foraging from the Ridge & Valley landscape.
Gray Catbirds and American Robins singing from nearly every corner of the property.
A brief but clear look at a Northern House Wren delivering its buzzy song from deep within the shrubs.
Species List (16 species, 43 individuals)
Raptors
Broad‑winged Hawk – 1
Woodpeckers
Red‑bellied Woodpecker – 1
Flycatchers
Eastern Wood‑Pewee – 2
Eastern Phoebe – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher – 1
Vireos & Corvids
Red‑eyed Vireo – 1
Blue Jay – 1
American Crow – 1
Songbirds
Carolina Chickadee – 1
Northern House Wren – 2
Gray Catbird – 3
Eastern Bluebird – 2
American Robin – 3
Cedar Waxwing – 18
American Goldfinch – 4
Chipping Sparrow – 1
Habitat Notes
The Bower’s mission to create a biodiverse, art‑integrated landscape was on full display today. The mix of mature woodland, curated understory plantings, and open garden spaces provided excellent habitat variety, supporting both resident breeders and late‑spring foragers. Guests especially enjoyed how the sculptures and pathways blend seamlessly into the natural setting, creating a calm, immersive birding experience.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you to today’s wonderful group of guests for your curiosity, great questions, and enthusiasm. Late May is a beautiful time to explore The Bower, and the birds certainly rewarded us with activity and song. I look forward to seeing you on another walk soon.
If you’d like to revisit the species list or explore more sightings from the area, your checklist is available on eBird: The Bower Checklist.
If you enjoyed today’s walk, please consider leaving a comment or review:https://g.page/r/CYIZdhYAd1upEAE/review
Andrew R. Dapkins
South Middleton Township, PA
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