I just could not waste this amazingly gorgeous day with a slight breeze in the air, temps in the mid 70s, the sky boasting bright sunshine and a few wispy clouds. Though you may have thought I did waste a good portion of the day sleeping in until 11:20 am, but it was so worth it and necessary! After a great day of birding (and stuffing my face) yesterday, I had to continue this blessed Labor Day weekend being out and about enjoying Mother Nature! Of course, I made sure I completed what errands I had chosen to tackle today before ending my day the best way I could, by taking in all the sights and sounds, the atmosphere and environs of my favorite place to find solitude, that being Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, MA!
I arrived at Oxbow and started on my way at about 3:15 pm EST, not coming back to the parking lot until 3 hours later. I did my usual, routine route, going from the gate to Riverside Trail that parallels the Nashua River, then following Turnpike Trail that cuts across the vast wetlands until it joins up with Tank Road. Most times I would take a right at this junction following Tank Road all the way back to the parking lot, but on occasion, as I did today, I went left following Tank Road north that eventually comes upon Route 2. I didn't go as far as Route 2, for I typically will stop at the pond that is on the right-hand side, but is fairly close in proximity to Route 2 nonetheless.
I did not expect to see much in the way of birds, even though sometimes birds will become more active again in the late afternoon to evening hours. But once must consider that it is late in the summer and the summer months out here in the inland areas of MA tend to be rather quiet, that is of course until the Fall migration begins anew, which should be within the next week or 2 I believe. All the birds I saw there were of the usual variety, but a few favorites that one can typically find there were in attendance! The most notable birds observed were indeed a few favorites, such as a couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, one along Turnpike Trail (great looks!) and one at the parking lot when I had returned. A few Eastern Phoebes were seen, one on Turnpike Trail, one along Tank Road and one at the pond catching some flying insects. 2 noisy, yet striking Belted Kingfishers made their presence known with said explosive chatterings, one briefly seen along Riverside Trail near the junction of Turnpike Trail and one seen at the aforementioned pond that is on the right-hand side of Tank Road. The 2nd Kingfisher was especially cooperative and active. It seemed that he was diving into the water for some din dins, but no, it was diving in to the pond to help preen itself, for it would return to the same snag and start picking away at its water-soaked feathers.
However, the most noteworthy warm-blooded fauna observed were as follows: A Beaver down at that pond along Tank Road nearest to Route 2. This lovely beaver was just lounging, eating some vegetation, caring not for my presence. A Fisher was unexpectantly seen just sitting on the railroad tracks that run parallel to the eastern edge of the refuge, near the entrance to the dirt road that leads down to the parking lot. Initially I did not recognize this mammal to be a fisher until I got my binocs on it! Best looks I have ever had of a fisher, with its dark-grayish head, dark-brown body and very long, bushy tail....it stared at me for a few moments before deciding I was not a threat and headed onwards into Oxbow NWR. What a treat that was, for this was on the way heading out of Oxbow!
I must apologize for my narrative of today's exploits not being so boisterous and exuberant, for I am still feeling a bit exhausted after this long and fruitful weekend! At any rate, my bird observations are below! Happy birding to all!
Location: Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Observation date: 9/6/10
Number of species: 17
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 2
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus 2
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 3
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 2
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe 3
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 10
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 31
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 14
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 9
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 8
Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis 4
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 1
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 4
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
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