Ah, a beautiful day it was to be outside today, though it would've been even nicer had it been a tad bit warmer! Beggars can't be choosers eh??! Kirk and I desperately needed to get outdoors and scare up some good birds! We were hither and yonder in Middlesex County, but mainly around the Concord area.
Our first stop was Nine-Acre Corner in Concord where we had good reports from there the past few days via Massbird. Our ultimate hope was to see a Horned Grebe in breeding plumage, but we had just missed the lone bird by about 20 minutes to our arrival (which was around 9:30 am). Nonetheless, we had plenty of ducks to look at, amongst dozens and dozens of Canada Geese. David Swain had reported 107 Green-winged Teal the day before, and there had to be at least that many there this morning. We also had about a half-dozen Northern Pintails, a number of American Black Ducks and Mallards, at least 40 Ring-necked Ducks, a small contingent of Common Goldeneye and one Pied-billed Grebe. There was also a handful of Wilson's Snipe in the mud flats bordering the flooded farm fields there. A Red-tailed Hawk and a Turkey Vulture also made an appearance, and there was also a number of Red-winged Blackbirds. We even had the good fortune of meeting Willy Hutcheson and Pam Sowizral, but most notably, the venerable David Allen Sibley himself (well, he does live in Concord afterall)!
Next up on our list was Dunback Meadows in the Waltham/Lexington area. Numerous Song Sparrows we had, as well as a few Blue Jays pestering a Red-tailed Hawk. We had aspirations of perhaps coming across Fox Sparrows there, but it seems they had already moved through (they had been reported earlier in the week at Dunback). For me, the highlight at Dunback was coming across a couple Golden-crowned Kinglets.
Onwards we stopped over at the Waltham Street Fields where there were at least 30 Canada Geese, but more notably, several (at least 7) Wilson's Snipe that we flushed out as we made our way around the fields there. What amusing calls they have with their erratic flight that is reminiscent of most shorebirds, but especially American Woodcocks.
Our last stop was Great Meadows NWR in Concord. Unfortunately, we thought the dike trail in its entirety was passable.....well, it was, that is if you don't mind getting your feet wet! Highlights there were a few Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows, a large contingent of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds (especially near the Concord River), a handful of Buffleheads, a small group of Common Goldeneye, a couple of Mute Swans and a very large flotilla of Ring-necked Ducks. We also saw several Muskrats, a lone Downy Woodpecker and more notably, a Northern Harrier. What was most nice to see while there, and for Kirk and I, a more significant telltale sign Spring is well at hand and that warmer temps are coming, is that we saw 2 Tree Swallows flying around the center dike trail nearest the Concord River canoe launch. Soon enough there will be hundreds of Tree Swallows at Great Meadows!
Not the most momentous day of birding, but decent enough and certainly more than worth it, for any day of birding, whether it be good or bad, is far superior than a good day of work or being at home doing absolutely nothing! Happy birding everyone!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Winter finches galore on this day of my birth!
What a year of bird watching it has been thus far, and today has by far and away been the best day of birding yet, and there has already been several momentous occasions! On the day of my birth (30 today) that had promised milder temps, some sun and the allure of the hunt for seeing more winter finches, brought us all that and more (even a few intermittent snow flurries in Royalston)!
My good buddy and fellow birder Kirk and myself ventured back out to West Concord at the Thoreau School again to get more of a Redpoll fix! It was my 3rd time visiting this location, and today's hope was not only to see the myriad numbers of Common Redpolls, but also to see if we could chance upon at least one of the Hoary Redpolls that the venerable David Sibley had observed earlier in the week. This time around, we didn't have to wait for the Redpolls to show up, for we got there at about 8:30 am and two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for, mowing down upon the feeders full of millet. One of the Redpolls that alighted on the feeders was without a doubt a Hoary Redpoll. It was marginally larger, had that frostier, paler appearance and the more refined and less noticeable brown streaking along its flanks. It also appeared to have an even stubbier yellow bill than that of its Common brethren. We were there in West Concord for about 20 minutes before deciding to head out west to continue to feast our eyes upon more winter finches! There was another Redpoll that seemed to be a candidate for a Hoary, but we weren't definitively sure of it. Nonetheless, that one Hoary we saw was fantastic, never mind the fact of just having all those Redpolls there at once down here in the Bay State!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: The sizable flock of Redpolls continues at this location, though only about half to two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for. The Hoary (1 of a few that had been reported earlier in the week by David Sibley) has all the features we were looking for: the slightly larger size, the even shorter, stubbier yellow bill, the more refined brown streaking along the flanks than that of the Commons, and just the overall "frostier" appearance, looking like it has just spent a night in the freezer!
Number of species: 8
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 40
Hoary Redpoll - Acanthis hornemanni 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Here are a couple pics of the myriad of Redpolls seen in West Concord by my good buddy and birding mentor, Kirk Marshall:
About an hour and a half later, at around a little after 10:30 am, we started our venture within the town of Royalston, MA in hopes of coming across other notable winter finches that had been reported earlier in the week by Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan along North Fitzwilliam Road, Northeast Fitzwilliam Road and Proctor Hill Road. Around Northeast Fitzwilliam Road, we didn't come across any of the winter finches we were hoping for, but things started off fairly well when we arrived there, with 3 American Crows harassing the living daylights out of a calling Common Raven! We had parked in the parking lot near the church in the center of town (we weren't sure which building was the Phinehas S. Newton Library). After seeing the Raven, we walked northwards along NE Fitzwilliam Road and came upon a sizable flock of about 40 Red-winged Blackbirds and at least 8 Common Grackles. Even more notable here was a Mink that Kirk had spotted crossing NE Fitzwilliam Road right near the juncture with Frye Hill Road....I hadn't seen a Mink since being at Wompatuck on the South Shore last summer! After having no luck with finding winter finches along NE Fitzwilliam Road, we decided to head up North Fitzwilliam Road. Driving for about a half-mile to 3/4 of a mile up, we came upon a house with a large flock of Common Redpolls just covering the ground and the feeders that were out in front of this white house with 3 deciduous trees in the front, right along the side of North Fitzwilliam. But not only were Redpolls there (we couldn't discern any Hoary's, especially since most of the Redpolls went to the feeders in behind the house), but there were at least 2, probably more, Pine Siskins there as well.....great looks at them, along with the "ZZZZZzzzzzzrrrreeeeeee" vocalizations in effect! What also astonished us was the presence of a Brown Creeper looking for deliciousness on the ground near the base of the middle tree. Never before had Kirk or myself seen a Creeper on the ground! Just fantastic!
After getting our Redpoll meter up to maximum for the day, we continued on northwards on North Fitzwilliam Road and turned left onto Proctor Hill Road. Paul Peterson and his posse reported that a local resident had a flock of at least 17 Evening Grosbeaks at her feeders at her home that was the 2nd home on the right on this road. We checked out this home and had no luck (though there are numerous feeders there), so we went up the road for about another 1/4 mile and decided to turn around just in front of a large white farmhouse with barn animals and a friendly yellow dog present. Just as I was finished making my 3-point turn, we had noticed a flock of birds in the treetops in behind this farmhouse we were turning around at. Then Kirk exclaimed with glee: "There they are!!!" And sure enough, there they were indeed, a flock of 17 Evening Grosbeaks! We just gawked at these amazing Life birds for the both of us, admiring the startling beauty of both male and females, but especially that of the male EVGR, with its bright patterns of golden-yellow, black, rich brown and grays with black wings marked with bold, white wingbars! These Evenings were very noisy and very social amongst themselves.....but 17 just wasn't enough! About 7 or so minutes later, another group of EVGRs joined the flock already there, bringing the total tally of birds to at least 35, possibly more!! Below is a location map of where we were in Royalston today:
The lat/long marker at the top left is the spot where the Evening Grosbeaks were seen on Proctor Hill Road. The middle lat/long marker along North Fitzwilliam Road is where the Redpolls, Pine Siskins and the Brown Creeper was observed. The location along NE Fitzwilliam Road is where the blackbirds and grackles were seen.
Location: Proctor Hill/N. Fitzwilliam/NE Fitzwilliam Rds., Royalston, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: Brown Creeper, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls seen at home along North Fitzwilliam Road, about a half-mile to 3/4 mile from junction with NE Fitzwilliam Road at white house along left-side of road with feeders and 3 deciduous trees in front yard. Also feeders along side-yard and in backyard; flock of at least 35 Evening Grosbeaks seen about 3/4 mile up Proctor Hill Road on left-hand side of road in trees behind white farmhouse with barn animals and a lovely yellow dog present. Grosbeaks were very social and communicative....simply startling and gorgeous! What a Lifer! The EVGR appeared to be engorging themselves on feeders in behind the farmhouse, though we could not tell for sure the existence of feeders or not without fear of trespassing.
Number of species: 19
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 12
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 16
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana 1
American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea 12
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 43
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 8
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
Pine Siskin - Spinus pinus 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 15
Evening Grosbeak - Coccothraustes vespertinus 35
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods.....what a phenomenal birthday, and moreover, a fabulous day of birding! Now all I need is both Crossbills and a Pine Grosbeak to round out the winter finches (neverminding the Rosy Finches out in Colorado)! I could not have asked for a better day.....thanks be to Ryan Schain, David Sibley, Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan....and of course Kirk Marshall, for contributing in some manner to make such a day come to fruition!! Happy birding to everyone out there!!
My good buddy and fellow birder Kirk and myself ventured back out to West Concord at the Thoreau School again to get more of a Redpoll fix! It was my 3rd time visiting this location, and today's hope was not only to see the myriad numbers of Common Redpolls, but also to see if we could chance upon at least one of the Hoary Redpolls that the venerable David Sibley had observed earlier in the week. This time around, we didn't have to wait for the Redpolls to show up, for we got there at about 8:30 am and two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for, mowing down upon the feeders full of millet. One of the Redpolls that alighted on the feeders was without a doubt a Hoary Redpoll. It was marginally larger, had that frostier, paler appearance and the more refined and less noticeable brown streaking along its flanks. It also appeared to have an even stubbier yellow bill than that of its Common brethren. We were there in West Concord for about 20 minutes before deciding to head out west to continue to feast our eyes upon more winter finches! There was another Redpoll that seemed to be a candidate for a Hoary, but we weren't definitively sure of it. Nonetheless, that one Hoary we saw was fantastic, never mind the fact of just having all those Redpolls there at once down here in the Bay State!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: The sizable flock of Redpolls continues at this location, though only about half to two-thirds of the flock was present and accounted for. The Hoary (1 of a few that had been reported earlier in the week by David Sibley) has all the features we were looking for: the slightly larger size, the even shorter, stubbier yellow bill, the more refined brown streaking along the flanks than that of the Commons, and just the overall "frostier" appearance, looking like it has just spent a night in the freezer!
Number of species: 8
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 5
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 1
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 40
Hoary Redpoll - Acanthis hornemanni 1
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Here are a couple pics of the myriad of Redpolls seen in West Concord by my good buddy and birding mentor, Kirk Marshall:
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| Common Redpoll goodness in West Concord, MA near the Thoreau School |
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| Part of flock of Common Redpolls visiting millet feeders in West Concord, MA |
About an hour and a half later, at around a little after 10:30 am, we started our venture within the town of Royalston, MA in hopes of coming across other notable winter finches that had been reported earlier in the week by Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan along North Fitzwilliam Road, Northeast Fitzwilliam Road and Proctor Hill Road. Around Northeast Fitzwilliam Road, we didn't come across any of the winter finches we were hoping for, but things started off fairly well when we arrived there, with 3 American Crows harassing the living daylights out of a calling Common Raven! We had parked in the parking lot near the church in the center of town (we weren't sure which building was the Phinehas S. Newton Library). After seeing the Raven, we walked northwards along NE Fitzwilliam Road and came upon a sizable flock of about 40 Red-winged Blackbirds and at least 8 Common Grackles. Even more notable here was a Mink that Kirk had spotted crossing NE Fitzwilliam Road right near the juncture with Frye Hill Road....I hadn't seen a Mink since being at Wompatuck on the South Shore last summer! After having no luck with finding winter finches along NE Fitzwilliam Road, we decided to head up North Fitzwilliam Road. Driving for about a half-mile to 3/4 of a mile up, we came upon a house with a large flock of Common Redpolls just covering the ground and the feeders that were out in front of this white house with 3 deciduous trees in the front, right along the side of North Fitzwilliam. But not only were Redpolls there (we couldn't discern any Hoary's, especially since most of the Redpolls went to the feeders in behind the house), but there were at least 2, probably more, Pine Siskins there as well.....great looks at them, along with the "ZZZZZzzzzzzrrrreeeeeee" vocalizations in effect! What also astonished us was the presence of a Brown Creeper looking for deliciousness on the ground near the base of the middle tree. Never before had Kirk or myself seen a Creeper on the ground! Just fantastic!
After getting our Redpoll meter up to maximum for the day, we continued on northwards on North Fitzwilliam Road and turned left onto Proctor Hill Road. Paul Peterson and his posse reported that a local resident had a flock of at least 17 Evening Grosbeaks at her feeders at her home that was the 2nd home on the right on this road. We checked out this home and had no luck (though there are numerous feeders there), so we went up the road for about another 1/4 mile and decided to turn around just in front of a large white farmhouse with barn animals and a friendly yellow dog present. Just as I was finished making my 3-point turn, we had noticed a flock of birds in the treetops in behind this farmhouse we were turning around at. Then Kirk exclaimed with glee: "There they are!!!" And sure enough, there they were indeed, a flock of 17 Evening Grosbeaks! We just gawked at these amazing Life birds for the both of us, admiring the startling beauty of both male and females, but especially that of the male EVGR, with its bright patterns of golden-yellow, black, rich brown and grays with black wings marked with bold, white wingbars! These Evenings were very noisy and very social amongst themselves.....but 17 just wasn't enough! About 7 or so minutes later, another group of EVGRs joined the flock already there, bringing the total tally of birds to at least 35, possibly more!! Below is a location map of where we were in Royalston today:
The lat/long marker at the top left is the spot where the Evening Grosbeaks were seen on Proctor Hill Road. The middle lat/long marker along North Fitzwilliam Road is where the Redpolls, Pine Siskins and the Brown Creeper was observed. The location along NE Fitzwilliam Road is where the blackbirds and grackles were seen.
Location: Proctor Hill/N. Fitzwilliam/NE Fitzwilliam Rds., Royalston, MA
Observation date: 3/13/11
Notes: Brown Creeper, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls seen at home along North Fitzwilliam Road, about a half-mile to 3/4 mile from junction with NE Fitzwilliam Road at white house along left-side of road with feeders and 3 deciduous trees in front yard. Also feeders along side-yard and in backyard; flock of at least 35 Evening Grosbeaks seen about 3/4 mile up Proctor Hill Road on left-hand side of road in trees behind white farmhouse with barn animals and a lovely yellow dog present. Grosbeaks were very social and communicative....simply startling and gorgeous! What a Lifer! The EVGR appeared to be engorging themselves on feeders in behind the farmhouse, though we could not tell for sure the existence of feeders or not without fear of trespassing.
Number of species: 19
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 2
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 6
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 3
Common Raven - Corvus corax 1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 12
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 16
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 3
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana 1
American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea 12
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 43
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 8
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
Pine Siskin - Spinus pinus 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 15
Evening Grosbeak - Coccothraustes vespertinus 35
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods.....what a phenomenal birthday, and moreover, a fabulous day of birding! Now all I need is both Crossbills and a Pine Grosbeak to round out the winter finches (neverminding the Rosy Finches out in Colorado)! I could not have asked for a better day.....thanks be to Ryan Schain, David Sibley, Paul Peterson, Pete Gilmore and Paul Sullivan....and of course Kirk Marshall, for contributing in some manner to make such a day come to fruition!! Happy birding to everyone out there!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
3 Common Redpolls just simply is not enough to satiate my hunger!!
After having a fantastic day of birding the day before with Kirk in numerous locations across northeastern Massachusetts, you'd think I would have had my weekly fill of our fine avian friends. However, there was one bird in particular that I just simply had to see more of! After having seen a report online this morning on the Massachusetts Birding List by Willy Hutcheson of the numbers of Common Redpolls being seen at the feeders near the Thoreau School in West Concord, I just had to try and see more of these wonderful winter finches! So, just prior to the rains moving in, I arrived at the aforementioned location that I had visited yesterday with Kirk by 12:20 pm. Having waited for 15 minutes with only a lone American Goldfinch at the feeders, a few Redpolls moved in to chow down. But minutes later, the whole rest of the flock maneuvered in! Only a few more alighted on the feeders, the rest of the brethren (over 70 birds!) perching themselves in the deciduous trees forming a perimeter around the grouping of feeders! All of them were quite communicative and flitty, moving as a whole over my head from tree-to to tree-top! What a spectacular sight this all was, and surely I had gotten my fix for Redpolls.....at least for now!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/6/11
Notes: Arrived at Thoreau School parking lot in West Concord by 12:20 pm to get my fill of observing Redpolls after getting my first taste at the same location the day before. Waited about 15 minutes before a few showed up at the feeders. Then a few minutes later, the whole flock arrived of at least 70 birds. I think it is safe to say the flock was larger than 70, but that is what I could count before my I lost track as they kept flying together around me from tree to tree that forms a perimeter around the feeders.
Number of species: 4
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 2
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Today was also the day I usually spend time observing my own feeders here at home for Cornell's Project FeederWatch. I had missed Week 15's observance last Sunday due to being busy with family, visiting the Peabody Essex Museum. Nonetheless, today did not yield much in the total numbers of birds, but the number of species of birds in attendance is in keeping with the entirety of the FeederWatch observance to date, at least for the most part. My ever-present, good little buddy, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, was still hanging around, taking its opportune moments to swoop in and score some black sunflower seeds. A Carolina Wren also came around, being as noisy and boisterous as ever!
A weekend full of wonderful birding was had, and it had been some time since I have had such a memorable, full weekend birding (at least since January 1st of this year). So far, I have 5 new Lifers this year (Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, King Eider, Great Cormorant, Common Redpoll), thusly, a great start! But me thinks I am being greedy, for I would still love to have Redpolls here at my own feeders before this winter is said and done! But that is just being selfish isn't it??! Anyhoo, good birding to everyone!!
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/6/11
Notes: Arrived at Thoreau School parking lot in West Concord by 12:20 pm to get my fill of observing Redpolls after getting my first taste at the same location the day before. Waited about 15 minutes before a few showed up at the feeders. Then a few minutes later, the whole flock arrived of at least 70 birds. I think it is safe to say the flock was larger than 70, but that is what I could count before my I lost track as they kept flying together around me from tree to tree that forms a perimeter around the feeders.
Number of species: 4
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 5
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 2
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 70
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Today was also the day I usually spend time observing my own feeders here at home for Cornell's Project FeederWatch. I had missed Week 15's observance last Sunday due to being busy with family, visiting the Peabody Essex Museum. Nonetheless, today did not yield much in the total numbers of birds, but the number of species of birds in attendance is in keeping with the entirety of the FeederWatch observance to date, at least for the most part. My ever-present, good little buddy, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, was still hanging around, taking its opportune moments to swoop in and score some black sunflower seeds. A Carolina Wren also came around, being as noisy and boisterous as ever!
| Mourning Dove | 4 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Blue Jay | 1 |
| American Crow | 1 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 7 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 4 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| Carolina Wren | 1 |
| American Robin | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 1 |
| Northern Cardinal | 2 |
| House Finch | 3 |
| American Goldfinch | 1 |
A weekend full of wonderful birding was had, and it had been some time since I have had such a memorable, full weekend birding (at least since January 1st of this year). So far, I have 5 new Lifers this year (Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, King Eider, Great Cormorant, Common Redpoll), thusly, a great start! But me thinks I am being greedy, for I would still love to have Redpolls here at my own feeders before this winter is said and done! But that is just being selfish isn't it??! Anyhoo, good birding to everyone!!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A hint of Spring is in the air with the last vestiges of Winter still lingering!
With "Cabin Fever" taking a firm grip all over the Northeast and its inhabitants, my good buddy Kirk Marshall and myself just had to get out and about, what with the mild temperatures (40s to 50s), the promise of drenching rains the next couple of days and the fact work was wearing on the both of us! We made a day of it, getting our "bird on", going up the shoreline just north of Boston-proper to the rocky shores of Cape Ann, even making a final stop not too far off from my town of residence, visiting a spot in West Concord!
Our day started off in Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston. It is a favorite haunt of Kirk's, but twas only the 3rd time I had been there, and of course, prior to becoming friends with Kirk, had never been there before. Our hope for this first stop was to chance upon the sizable flock of Common Redpolls that had been reported by Ryan Schain the day before (a flock of 48 of them!), but alas, no such luck. Besides the fact that such a cute little winter finch is so nomadic, I am sure the numbers of dog walkers and the planes overhead flying into Logan held the Redpolls either at bay or scared off altogether. Nonetheless, Belle Isle Marsh offered up an equally wonderful bird, 3 Rusty Blackbirds!! These birds were still in their winter plumage, so thusly they were still had the rusty hue to their feathers that gives them their common name. Whats more is that these Rusty's were singing, which on the only other occasion I had a chance to see a Rusty Blackbird at Oxbow NWR, they had not been. Other birds of note was a sizable group of Buffleheads (a diving duck), 16 in total, and this year's first sightings of Red-winged Blackbirds and a Common Grackle, both signs of warmer times ahead of us! The full list of birds seen at Belle Isle Marsh is below:
Location: Belle Isle Marsh--IBA
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: How fantastic it was to come upon the 3 Rusty Blackbirds, still in their winter plumage, singing away in the trees right near the parking lot for Belle Isle Marsh. We had hoped to come upon the good-sized flock of Common Redpolls that had been seen the day before by Ryan Schain (48 of 'em), but no luck.
Number of species: 16
Mute Swan - Cygnus olor 2
American Black Duck - Anas rubripes 9
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 2
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 16
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 12
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 50
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 1
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 8
Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus 3
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Our next stop was King's Beach (part of the Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation) along the Lynn/Swampscott town line in our pursuit of the very rare Mew Gull. Alas, we didn't have luck with that bird either, however, we did come across 8 more Buffleheads and a flotilla of Brants, at least 60 in number!
Location: King's Beach, Lynn/Swampscott
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: Attempted to re-find Mew Gull that had been reported in previous sightings along King's Beach, alas, to no avail. The flotilla of Brant was very nice to come upon though!
Number of species: 3
Brant - Branta bernicla 60
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 8
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 12
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Then we were off to the Rockport area of Cape Ann, in search of ducks that you would normally see during the winter-time along the coastlines. However, the diving duck in question we were going after is one wintering duck you wouldn't normally see, as compared to other birds I will mention shortly. We had hoped to come across the adult male King Eider that had been reported along the rocky shores in-between Folly's Cove and Halibut Point, or perhaps the one located just off the shores near the Elk's Club in Gloucester. We sadly could not come upon either majestic male, (though he had been seen earlier in the day off the Elks, half way in-between the shoreline and the horizon). Nonetheless, our consolation prize was seeing 2 1st-winter juvenile male King Eiders right near the rocky shoreline just south of the cliff face at Halibut Point. We also visited Andrew's Point, Cathedral Ledge and the aforementioned shoreline near the Elk's Club in Gloucester and were rewarded with good looks at Harlequin Ducks, all three Scoter species (Surf, Black and White-winged), Greater Scaups, more Buffleheads and another Life bird, a lone Great Cormorant off of Halibut Point. Total numbers from all the locations visited on Cape Ann are below:
Location: Cape Ann--Halibut Point
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: 2 first-winter juvenile male King Eiders seen right off the rocky shore just to the south of the cliff face for Halibut Point; please note total numbers are for all birds seen around Cape Ann and at the shoreline in front of the Elk's Club in Gloucester; as such: Common Eiders and Harlequin Ducks were seen at Halibut Point, Andrew's Point and Cathedral Ledge; the Buffleheads were seen in Gloucester near the Elks and at Andrew's Point; the White-winged Scoters were only seen near the Elks; the Black Scoters at Andrew's Point; the Common Merganser at Andrew's; and the Great Cormorant at Halibut Point.
Number of species: 10
Greater Scaup - Aythya marila 3
King Eider - Somateria spectabilis 2
Common Eider - Somateria mollissima 50
Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus 20
Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata 8
White-winged Scoter - Melanitta fusca 3
Black Scoter - Melanitta americana 12
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 14
Common Merganser - Mergus merganser 2
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Lastly, to use the proverbial "icing on the cake" expression, we made our final stop of the day in West Concord at the Thoreau School in hopes of seeing the small flock (12 at max) of Common Redpolls that had been reported earlier in the week by David Swain at the feeders directly across from the teacher's parking slots at Thoreau. It was 4 pm by the time we got to West Concord and obviously, our light was waning steadily. But after waiting for about 15 minutes (Redpolls were seen 15 minutes prior to our arrival at the school), our patience and long waiting for a new winter finch had paid off! 3 gorgeous, wonderfully cute Redpolls came to the grouping of feeders filled with millet, busily stuffing their faces, but also wary of our presence and even skittish of the Mourning Doves that were perusing the snows below them at the feeders.
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: Though more Common Redpolls have been reported here, 3 were seen at a grouping of bird feeders in the back yard of a home directly across from the teacher's parking slots of the Thoreau School in West Concord. What a wonderful Life bird....so gorgeous, so flitty.....only 2nd winter finch species of the year (had a Pine Siskin on Dec. 26th in North Reading, MA).
Number of species: 3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods, what a way to end the day!! 3 new Life birds in one day (King Eider, Great Cormorant, Common Redpoll). After this hellacious winter we have all endured, such a day of great birding and time with my good buddy and birder, Kirk, was much needed!! Here is to a relaxing day tomorrow and to a great year of bird watching!! Happy birding too all my friends!!
Our day started off in Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston. It is a favorite haunt of Kirk's, but twas only the 3rd time I had been there, and of course, prior to becoming friends with Kirk, had never been there before. Our hope for this first stop was to chance upon the sizable flock of Common Redpolls that had been reported by Ryan Schain the day before (a flock of 48 of them!), but alas, no such luck. Besides the fact that such a cute little winter finch is so nomadic, I am sure the numbers of dog walkers and the planes overhead flying into Logan held the Redpolls either at bay or scared off altogether. Nonetheless, Belle Isle Marsh offered up an equally wonderful bird, 3 Rusty Blackbirds!! These birds were still in their winter plumage, so thusly they were still had the rusty hue to their feathers that gives them their common name. Whats more is that these Rusty's were singing, which on the only other occasion I had a chance to see a Rusty Blackbird at Oxbow NWR, they had not been. Other birds of note was a sizable group of Buffleheads (a diving duck), 16 in total, and this year's first sightings of Red-winged Blackbirds and a Common Grackle, both signs of warmer times ahead of us! The full list of birds seen at Belle Isle Marsh is below:
Location: Belle Isle Marsh--IBA
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: How fantastic it was to come upon the 3 Rusty Blackbirds, still in their winter plumage, singing away in the trees right near the parking lot for Belle Isle Marsh. We had hoped to come upon the good-sized flock of Common Redpolls that had been seen the day before by Ryan Schain (48 of 'em), but no luck.
Number of species: 16
Mute Swan - Cygnus olor 2
American Black Duck - Anas rubripes 9
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 2
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 16
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 2
American Robin - Turdus migratorius 12
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos 1
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 50
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 1
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 8
Rusty Blackbird - Euphagus carolinus 3
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Our next stop was King's Beach (part of the Lynn Shore & Nahant Beach Reservation) along the Lynn/Swampscott town line in our pursuit of the very rare Mew Gull. Alas, we didn't have luck with that bird either, however, we did come across 8 more Buffleheads and a flotilla of Brants, at least 60 in number!
Location: King's Beach, Lynn/Swampscott
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: Attempted to re-find Mew Gull that had been reported in previous sightings along King's Beach, alas, to no avail. The flotilla of Brant was very nice to come upon though!
Number of species: 3
Brant - Branta bernicla 60
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 8
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis 12
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Then we were off to the Rockport area of Cape Ann, in search of ducks that you would normally see during the winter-time along the coastlines. However, the diving duck in question we were going after is one wintering duck you wouldn't normally see, as compared to other birds I will mention shortly. We had hoped to come across the adult male King Eider that had been reported along the rocky shores in-between Folly's Cove and Halibut Point, or perhaps the one located just off the shores near the Elk's Club in Gloucester. We sadly could not come upon either majestic male, (though he had been seen earlier in the day off the Elks, half way in-between the shoreline and the horizon). Nonetheless, our consolation prize was seeing 2 1st-winter juvenile male King Eiders right near the rocky shoreline just south of the cliff face at Halibut Point. We also visited Andrew's Point, Cathedral Ledge and the aforementioned shoreline near the Elk's Club in Gloucester and were rewarded with good looks at Harlequin Ducks, all three Scoter species (Surf, Black and White-winged), Greater Scaups, more Buffleheads and another Life bird, a lone Great Cormorant off of Halibut Point. Total numbers from all the locations visited on Cape Ann are below:
Location: Cape Ann--Halibut Point
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: 2 first-winter juvenile male King Eiders seen right off the rocky shore just to the south of the cliff face for Halibut Point; please note total numbers are for all birds seen around Cape Ann and at the shoreline in front of the Elk's Club in Gloucester; as such: Common Eiders and Harlequin Ducks were seen at Halibut Point, Andrew's Point and Cathedral Ledge; the Buffleheads were seen in Gloucester near the Elks and at Andrew's Point; the White-winged Scoters were only seen near the Elks; the Black Scoters at Andrew's Point; the Common Merganser at Andrew's; and the Great Cormorant at Halibut Point.
Number of species: 10
Greater Scaup - Aythya marila 3
King Eider - Somateria spectabilis 2
Common Eider - Somateria mollissima 50
Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus 20
Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata 8
White-winged Scoter - Melanitta fusca 3
Black Scoter - Melanitta americana 12
Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 14
Common Merganser - Mergus merganser 2
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Lastly, to use the proverbial "icing on the cake" expression, we made our final stop of the day in West Concord at the Thoreau School in hopes of seeing the small flock (12 at max) of Common Redpolls that had been reported earlier in the week by David Swain at the feeders directly across from the teacher's parking slots at Thoreau. It was 4 pm by the time we got to West Concord and obviously, our light was waning steadily. But after waiting for about 15 minutes (Redpolls were seen 15 minutes prior to our arrival at the school), our patience and long waiting for a new winter finch had paid off! 3 gorgeous, wonderfully cute Redpolls came to the grouping of feeders filled with millet, busily stuffing their faces, but also wary of our presence and even skittish of the Mourning Doves that were perusing the snows below them at the feeders.
Location: Thoreau School, West Concord, MA
Observation date: 3/5/11
Notes: Though more Common Redpolls have been reported here, 3 were seen at a grouping of bird feeders in the back yard of a home directly across from the teacher's parking slots of the Thoreau School in West Concord. What a wonderful Life bird....so gorgeous, so flitty.....only 2nd winter finch species of the year (had a Pine Siskin on Dec. 26th in North Reading, MA).
Number of species: 3
Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 4
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
My gods, what a way to end the day!! 3 new Life birds in one day (King Eider, Great Cormorant, Common Redpoll). After this hellacious winter we have all endured, such a day of great birding and time with my good buddy and birder, Kirk, was much needed!! Here is to a relaxing day tomorrow and to a great year of bird watching!! Happy birding too all my friends!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Project FeederWatch - Week 14
Nothing terribly exciting or truly notable to report for this week's observance for Project FeederWatch. Most noteworthy aspect of today's watch was the somewhat sizable numbers of the Northern Cardinal (5), Tufted Titmouse (7) and the always noisy, feisty and aggressive House Finch (12). Still hoping one day one of those wily, elusive and nomadic winter finches will come along (ie Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin or White-winged Crossbill), but I don't hold out much hope. As always, below is the full list of my time spent admiring the local birds. Happy birding everyone!!
| Mourning Dove | 2 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Blue Jay | 2 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 6 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 7 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 5 |
| Northern Cardinal | 5 |
| House Finch | 12 |
| American Goldfinch | 3 |
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Another Species of Towhee and Today's Project FeederWatch Observance
Not many new Life birds yet this year (too much damned snow to venture out too much), but this year of 2011 has gotten off to an amazing start all the same! Yesterday (02/12/2011), Kirk Marshall and myself headed up north a bit (a little over an hour from my home here in Littleton) to Carolyn Grummon's abode in Peterborough, NH to get ourselves the 2nd new species of towhee this year, a Spotted Towhee!! We arrived there a little after 10 am, and within minutes, Kirk got on this venerated bird. He was chillin' in some thickets just behind the myriad of bird feeders that Carolyn has set up! He gave us superb looks before he flew off to another section of the Grummon's property! Much thanks must be given to the graciousness and generosity of Carolyn and her husband, for the only way we could best see this lovely Spotted Towhee was via inside their home. We felt obliged to bring some delicious doughnuts from Gourmet Doughnuts out of Townsend, MA on our way to Peterborough, NH to compensate for such kindness, though I must say it pales in comparison to the grandeur of the towhee and the friendliness of our hosts!
So, for those whom want to venture out to Peterborough, please call Carolyn in advance to set up a time to visit and to get directions! Their number is as follows: 1-603-924-7027. These folks are very friendly and obliging to let us fellow birders into their home to see such a rarity in these parts! Both the Spotted Towhee and the Green-tailed Towhee that Kirk and I observed at Sachuest Point NWR in Middletown, RI back on January 1st, are western species. From what I understand, this Spotted Towhee seen in Peterborough is only the 3rd such record of the bird in New Hampshire!
Other birds seen were typical backyard birds seen in the winter time, and thus, no other real highlights to mention, both for in Peterborough and here at home for today's Project FeederWatch observance. So, both sightings lists are below......enjoy and happy birding folks!!
Location: 121B Old Town Farm Road, Peterborough, NH
Observation date: 2/12/11
Notes: From what I understand, this sighting of a Spotted Towhee is only the 3rd record in NH. Was seen a little after 10 am at host's residence (Carolyn Grummon) in Peterborough, NH. Excellent looks for a few minutes before it flew off to a different section of the Grummon's property. Has been seen over the past 6 weeks with regularity, according to Carolyn, though from what I saw on the NH Birds List, it has only been reported for the past 2 weeks or so. Simply gorgeous bird (male) with the characteristic white spots on back and white wing bars, the deeper chest than that of Eastern Towhee, and the bright coloration as compared to duller colors of a female.
Number of species: 11
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 7
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 9
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
So, for those whom want to venture out to Peterborough, please call Carolyn in advance to set up a time to visit and to get directions! Their number is as follows: 1-603-924-7027. These folks are very friendly and obliging to let us fellow birders into their home to see such a rarity in these parts! Both the Spotted Towhee and the Green-tailed Towhee that Kirk and I observed at Sachuest Point NWR in Middletown, RI back on January 1st, are western species. From what I understand, this Spotted Towhee seen in Peterborough is only the 3rd such record of the bird in New Hampshire!
Other birds seen were typical backyard birds seen in the winter time, and thus, no other real highlights to mention, both for in Peterborough and here at home for today's Project FeederWatch observance. So, both sightings lists are below......enjoy and happy birding folks!!
Location: 121B Old Town Farm Road, Peterborough, NH
Observation date: 2/12/11
Notes: From what I understand, this sighting of a Spotted Towhee is only the 3rd record in NH. Was seen a little after 10 am at host's residence (Carolyn Grummon) in Peterborough, NH. Excellent looks for a few minutes before it flew off to a different section of the Grummon's property. Has been seen over the past 6 weeks with regularity, according to Carolyn, though from what I saw on the NH Birds List, it has only been reported for the past 2 weeks or so. Simply gorgeous bird (male) with the characteristic white spots on back and white wing bars, the deeper chest than that of Eastern Towhee, and the bright coloration as compared to duller colors of a female.
Number of species: 11
Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens 1
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus 1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata 7
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 9
Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis 1
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis 2
Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis 3
Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
| Mourning Dove | 2 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Blue Jay | 5 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 6 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 5 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 6 |
| Northern Cardinal | 4 |
| House Finch | 8 |
| American Goldfinch | 3 |
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Project FeederWatch - Week 12
For this weekend, I not only submitted my weekly sightings during today's observance to Cornell for Project FeederWatch, but also for Mass Audubon's Focus on Feeders citizen-science research program. And thankfully, this weekend was a bit more interesting than weekends past due to the following: There were 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers in attendance! One female near the top-center of the dogwood tree that is closest to the suet feeder in our front yard, and one male just a few feet below her. Both would take turns chowing down on the suet feeder nearby! Fucking loved it because they are my favorite woodpecker, with their bright colors and their awesome "chiv-chiv-chiv" call that always amuses me! However, the most notable bird observed today was the presence of an adult Cooper's Hawk that had swooped into our front yard in the same aforementioned dogwood tree. One moment I am looking at 2 Mourning Doves perched on this tree, the next moment, after looking away, watching the Celtics beat up on the Magic, I see a Cooper's Hawk in their place! Unfortunately for the Coopers, the doves got away, but fortunate for me, because it was a first here at home! Gorgeous raptor!! Anyhoo, below is my full listing, happy birding everyone!!
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 |
| Mourning Dove | 7 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 2 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Blue Jay | 3 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 8 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 5 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 2 |
| Carolina Wren | 1 |
| European Starling | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 5 |
| Northern Cardinal | 3 |
| House Finch | 12 |
| American Goldfinch | 5 |
Monday, January 31, 2011
Mass Audubon's Focus on Feeders: Feb. 5th and 6th, 2011
Just a rather quick message here in regards to a citizen-science project that I had participated in last winter before I was fully aware of Cornell's Project FeederWatch. Mass Audubon has been running their Focus on Feeders project for over the last 40 years, having citizen-scientists collect data on birds observed at their feeders one weekend every winter over the aforementioned time-frame and send them in to Mass Audubon for their research. Here is a copied image of the initial email that was sent to me a few weeks ago in regards to Focus on Feeders:
I want to thank a certain follower of my wee little birding blog for sending me a message not only in regards to Focus on Feeders, but her kind words about this blog. I am very glad to know that some people do find some enjoyment with my occasional exploits with the birding world! So, thank you Hilary at Mass Audubon and happy birding to all! Now go out there this upcoming weekend and watch what wonderful birds alight onto your feeders!
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I want to thank a certain follower of my wee little birding blog for sending me a message not only in regards to Focus on Feeders, but her kind words about this blog. I am very glad to know that some people do find some enjoyment with my occasional exploits with the birding world! So, thank you Hilary at Mass Audubon and happy birding to all! Now go out there this upcoming weekend and watch what wonderful birds alight onto your feeders!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Project FeederWatch - Week 11 - The Day After Nothingness in VT!
Today's numbers were lower than they have been the past several weeks, but the numbers of species and bird totals FAR exceeded the birds Kirk and I tried to see yesterday up at Wenlock WMA in Ferdinand, Vermont! We were virtually "skunked", and I say virtually because we DID see 4 Black-capped Chickadees, but in my books, that equates to zilch when your hoping for at least a few boreal species that can sometimes be found in a boreal forest this time of year! Christ, Kirk and I thought we would see something of interest considering a year ago in January of 2010 we had plenty to make our mouths water. That day we went for our target bird (and got it), which was a Northern Hawk Owl, and we also chanced upon several Boreal Chickadees, a Gray Jay (my 2nd all-time favorite bird), a few Red-breasted Nuthatches and we heard several White-winged Crossbills but could not get on any of them, sadly. What a difference a year makes....and yes, that day in Jan of 2010, we did have BC Chickadees as well.....yay. You can see the aforementioned usual suspect EVERY day no matter where you are in New England. Yes, I am sure you can sense my frustration, and the fact that all this snow we are getting and will be getting (3-6 on Tuesday, 12-18 on Wednesday/Thursday possible this week) is driving me bonkers!
Nonetheless, our trip yesterday was a welcome adventure, just to get out in nature amongst the beautiful pristine climes of a boreal forest in the winter. So, today, when I did my observance for Project FeederWatch, I was secretly hoping for perhaps a Pine Siskin or Common Redpoll, maybe even a WW Crossbill.....but I didn't expect it, and did not receive such awesomeness today. My ever-present buddy, the lone Red-breasted Nuthatch was around and kickin', and we had only our 2nd American Tree Sparrow of the season in attendance today. And yes, that European Starling is still hanging around as well, but that isn't too surprising given the fact that there is a flock of over 200 of them not too far away from where I live. Anyhoo, my full list of sightings is below, and happy birding to all, for I know those winter finches are starting to creep around more and more as of late....you elusive, nomadic little buggers!!
Nonetheless, our trip yesterday was a welcome adventure, just to get out in nature amongst the beautiful pristine climes of a boreal forest in the winter. So, today, when I did my observance for Project FeederWatch, I was secretly hoping for perhaps a Pine Siskin or Common Redpoll, maybe even a WW Crossbill.....but I didn't expect it, and did not receive such awesomeness today. My ever-present buddy, the lone Red-breasted Nuthatch was around and kickin', and we had only our 2nd American Tree Sparrow of the season in attendance today. And yes, that European Starling is still hanging around as well, but that isn't too surprising given the fact that there is a flock of over 200 of them not too far away from where I live. Anyhoo, my full list of sightings is below, and happy birding to all, for I know those winter finches are starting to creep around more and more as of late....you elusive, nomadic little buggers!!
| Mourning Dove | 4 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 1 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Blue Jay | 3 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 7 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 3 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| European Starling | 1 |
| American Tree Sparrow | 1 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 3 |
| Northern Cardinal | 5 |
| House Finch | 8 |
| American Goldfinch | 3 |
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Project FeederWatch - Week 10
Nothing of terrible significance to report in terms of this week's observation for Project FeederWatch. All the same species seen last weekend were seen today, though of course in varying numbers amidst the chilly temperatures. This isn't unexpected to say the least, for most of the time you will typically have the usual suspects in attendance (ie: chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, cardinals, goldfinches, juncos, etc).
Nonetheless, I must say I am becoming a bit antsy, a little bit frustrated. I am desperately hoping some sort of winter finch of significance would make its presence known. Yes, we did have 3 Purple Finches one weekend back in December, and a cadre of House Finches have been hanging around for a while. But it is the more unusual and more interesting finches that I am hoping for, like Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins. I had word that this year might be a good year for irruptive species like redpolls, siskins and perhaps even Evening Grosbeaks, which have unfortunately seen a steady decline in their population and range over the past 50+ years. I certainly haven't given up hope for this season, considering I still have until April 8th, which is when Project FeederWatch will close up shop for the year.
Plus, its not like I haven't had the fortune of having such birds as Pine Siskins or Purple Finches show up here at home. 2 years ago it was an irruptive year for siskins (they showed up several times in late February through early March), and purples were more numerous that year at the feeders as well. On the other hand, last year was a huge downer, for only a small handfull of House Finches had shown up. I just need to be patient and ever-vigilant during the course of the next 12 weeks, and I most certainly will be! Anyhoo, enough ranting and raving from me.....below is my full list of sightings.....happy birding to all!!
Nonetheless, I must say I am becoming a bit antsy, a little bit frustrated. I am desperately hoping some sort of winter finch of significance would make its presence known. Yes, we did have 3 Purple Finches one weekend back in December, and a cadre of House Finches have been hanging around for a while. But it is the more unusual and more interesting finches that I am hoping for, like Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins. I had word that this year might be a good year for irruptive species like redpolls, siskins and perhaps even Evening Grosbeaks, which have unfortunately seen a steady decline in their population and range over the past 50+ years. I certainly haven't given up hope for this season, considering I still have until April 8th, which is when Project FeederWatch will close up shop for the year.
Plus, its not like I haven't had the fortune of having such birds as Pine Siskins or Purple Finches show up here at home. 2 years ago it was an irruptive year for siskins (they showed up several times in late February through early March), and purples were more numerous that year at the feeders as well. On the other hand, last year was a huge downer, for only a small handfull of House Finches had shown up. I just need to be patient and ever-vigilant during the course of the next 12 weeks, and I most certainly will be! Anyhoo, enough ranting and raving from me.....below is my full list of sightings.....happy birding to all!!
| Mourning Dove | 3 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 1 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Blue Jay | 4 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 9 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 7 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 2 |
| Carolina Wren | 1 |
| European Starling | 1 |
| White-throated Sparrow | 2 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 4 |
| Northern Cardinal | 7 |
| House Finch | 6 |
| American Goldfinch | 3 |
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