Monthly Archives: October 2012
Two Lifers in Ten Minutes
Today was a beautiful fall day to chase birds. I returned to Artichoke Reservoir which was rather calm after yesterday’s chaos. I was looking for the Greater White-fronted Goose that has been seen for several days in a row. My … Continue reading
Posted in MA Birding
Tagged Great Cormorant, Greater White-fronted Goose, life birds
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A Wild Goose Chase
For the last several days, the MASSBIRDS listserve has had numerous reports of a White-fronted Goose spotted in a large group of Canada Geese on nearby Artichoke Reservoir. Someone also reported a Pink-footed Goose at the same location. So, I … Continue reading
Southern Birds
Mary and I drove three hours southeast to northern Massachusetts yesterday and it is like we became southerners. Not only have we changed stick season’s chilly rain and fog for mid-seventies and pretty foliage, I’m hearing and seeing birds that … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Digiscoping, MA Birding
Tagged digiscoping, MA Birding, Ruddy Duck
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Hawk Watching Time
Just about when the leaf peepers begin flocking to the roadways to observe Vermont’s spectacular autumn foliage, an equally-enthusiastic set of nature lovers is trekking up the peaks to watch a different seasonal event: the fall migration of raptors. Also … Continue reading
Bird Larders – storing up for winter
I’ve been watching birds cache food this week. The days are shorter, and the birds are preparing for the next season. The nuthatches prefer the hulled sunflower, and they’re choosing the heavier seeds as those are the ones higher in … Continue reading
Posted in bird feeding, Birds
Tagged Backyard birds, bird feeding, Newburyport Birders
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Brown Creepers Make Me Smile
Walking in the woods yesterday afternoon, I heard a loud “see” call. I thought it might be a White-throated Sparrow or even a Dark-eyed Junco but as I searched, I saw a little brown bird climbing up a White Pine. … Continue reading
A Birder’s Band for Vermont?
The onset of waterfowl hunting has spawned a lively discussion on VTBirds about ways for birders to get more credit for supporting conservation efforts. As I blogged last month, we get little respect from our contributions for Federal duck stamps … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation
Tagged conservation, Federal Duck Stamps, hunting
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Winter Birding — Bring It On
As I noted last week, we are being bankrupted by the influx of Pine Siskins that mob our feeders, leaving their small poops all over everything, and making the Black-capped Chickadees wonder what hit them. Yesterday, I saw about 25 … Continue reading
Won’t Get Fooled Again
I’m heading to Massachusetts next week and plan to do some birding and the Who song, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” comes to mind. Here’s the way I described it a couple of years ago: “Camera ready, I walked through the … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation
Tagged BioDiversity Reseach Institute, Common Eider, MA Birding, Penny, Salisbury Beach State Reservation, scoter
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Airstream Has An Appointment
After months of waiting, I got an email yesterday saying that I could bring the Airstream over to Plattsburgh, NY next Tuesday for the “facial” it needs to repair the dents I put in it last winter. I just winterized … Continue reading
Posted in Colin Hyde, repairs
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