Some Nice Vermont Birds

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The year 2025 was pretty dreary in many ways. However, looking through my photos was uplifting. It was one of the reasons I bird. Here are some examples starting with this Red-bellied Woodpecker who spent many days in our backyard, and is back again in 2026.


Other photos are: Hairy Woodpecker, Black-crowned Night Heron (downtown Montpelier), Swamp Sparrow, Common Loons,  Great Blue Heron, Gray Catbird, Broad-winged Hawk, and Wood Ducks (on the river out back.)

Here’s hoping for a year full of birding delights. Good birding!

Adios 2025

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It was zero when I took Ginger out yesterday – a pretty chilly end to the year. She had a grooming appointment and so I had an hour or two to study Spanish in the car. I did have my new camera with me just in case.

I was driving to a spot to finish a coffee. On a side street, I spotted a hawk perched. It was being harassed by crows. The camera case was tangled up in the back seat. Not daring to open the door and flush the bird, I somehow retrieved the camera.

I got a little closer and with freezing fingers, took a few shots. I think it was a Cooper’s Hawk but could be convinced otherwise. In any case, it was a neat finish to the birding year and got me psyched for 2026.

Ginger would rather lay on the couch rather than tromp through these super cold winter treks.

I get it. Happy New Year

A Nice Morning Surprise

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After several gray windy days, it was nice to head out this calm morning with some sunshine on our backs. And right away, I saw our Great Blue Heron, still here in spite of some nasty storms. We left him to his spot on the sunny riverbank.

It could be our last look at him before he heads out. In any case, it is a welcome start to a cold sunny morning outing with Ginger.

New Camera

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As I mentioned in my last post, I left my trusty camera, dings and all, in Spain. There are problems with tariff and customs. It is going to be a hassle to get it returned by mail.

We have a possible workout, but it will probably be next Spring. So, I decided to go back to a camera with changeable lenses.

I took it out for a dreary stroll today and came upon a half-dozen Northern Cardinals. The dog tugged on the leash. I tried to sort out this new rig. I got a few shots under gray skies.

So, off we go on a new adventure. Now to read the 966 page manual.

A Few More Birder Plates

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After a nice trip to Spain, probably our last, we are back in Vermont and well into “Stick Season. Most of the birds are gone. Unfortunately, my camera also is missing. I left it along with the Swarovski binoculars at our apartment. They should be back here soon. So, that’s why I haven’t posted in a while.

I have been taking photos of birder license plates for over a decade. Recently, I saw a couple of Vermont plates so here they are.

We are now entertained by many “we’re sticking around” birds at our feeders. We also see migrants like Redpolls and Pine Siskins. And there’s always the possible arrival of a Snowy Owl.

Have a good November.

Visiting La Caleta Once More

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La Caleta, seen here from our apartment. It is of our favorite walks here.

Perhaps you can see the autobus in the lower right.

It’s about a mile walk with a steep downhill. Our plan today was to return on the local bus, avoiding a tough climb.

Along the way, there are lots of flowers on vacant lots and buildings.

Mangos here are tasty and cheap.

We saw a few birds along the way including these two Western Cattle Egrets.

La Caleta was home to the only sugar mill in Europe making sugar, honey, and molasses for 150 years. Now its smokestack and buildings remain and we love to have breakfast outside at a little bar in Lavadero Square.

And a historical note: A local fiesta is held each in honour of the Virgen del Carmen (the patron saint of fishermen) and is celebrated in a special way. A procession of small boats devorated with garlands set sail from La Caleta with cheers and fireworks. Here is one of the prints on the walls of the square.

After tostados and coffee/tea, we caught the bus, paid 60 centavos each, and ended our last visit to a special place.

Last Charca Birds This Trip

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One of the neat aspects of our Charca outing was seeing dozens of Glossy Ibises.

Ibeses are distinctive in flight
One of many with poor lighting

Several Gray Herons, similar to but smaller than our Great Blue Herons, were on the far bank nearly out of camera range.

One of the prettiest birds we see here is the Little Egret, similar to our Snowy Egret. Stealthy, striking with power, posing handsomely – enjoy.

Patient and alert.
Action!
Success?
Pose for the camera time.

In a few months, when it’s snowing in Vermont, I need to remember these hot dayss and cooperative birds.

Big and Little Charca Birds

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Here are two birds that are a challenge to photograph. Greater Flamingos are always moving, feeding, or tucked into a resting pose. We saw three at Charca but there are many larger colonies in souther Spain.

Little Grebes are tiny, always moving, and constantly diving.

So, a trivia fact: flamingos weigh 2-4 kg and grebes weigh about 110 g so the Little Grebe is around 1/25th the size of the big bird. They are both wonderful to watch.

Visiting Charca Again

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Every trip to Spain, we bird at the wonderful little preserve in Motril – Carcha de Suárez.

Tucked in between high-rises and businesses, it’s a treasure with lots of birds. Here are a few we saw the other morning, starting with a couple of Western Swamphens.

In the same family, Eurasion Moorhens add noise and color to the lagoons.

We saw 31 species including the Red-gnobbed Coot which is endangered. Stay tuned for a another nice mix in the next post.

Buena observación de aves, dondequiera que estés.

Watching Kestrels

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Every evening we can see Eurasion Kestrels out hunting. They live in the cliffs and castle walls behind us, putting on a great show that is tough to photograph with my point & shoot. Let me share some shots from our deck

Notice the teepees for pole beans

As a pilot, I love to watch these aerial marvels.