Author: Richard

Some Spain Shots

We have been enjoying the weather, the culture, and the people this trip — birding has been just another activity, but still very enjoyable. Here are some birds and flowers from some of our outings.

Some flowers along the trail.
Little Grebes are cute but sure like to dive in the muckiest water. Time for a shower.

Here is a Northern Shoveler between and egret and a coot.

Hey, you looking at me?

Even the common House Sparrow looks pretty sharp today.

Thursday Beach Walk

We took a short trip this morning to check out a couple of sites, starting with the lighthouse at Cabo de Sacratif. Great views, nice breeze off the ocean and some gulls, Wheatears, and little brown jobs. (Lbj’s)

We walked the stony beach at Playa de Carchuna and saw a few more birds, several of which we couldn’t identify but no big deal. This guy is a good example.

I’m calling these juvenile Common Sandpipers.

This looks like a plover but I can’t find one that fits.

One of several Crested Larks.

We need to remember these sunny breezy beach walks when the white we see is snow, not sand. Hasta luego, amigos

Coots, Cormorants, and friends

It’s often interesting when sorting out images to not only relive the outing, but to look for surprises. On the forementioned trip to Charca de Suarez, we ran into these folks.

Purple Swamphens are big, colorful, and loud.
Common Moorhen

Great Cormorant and a couple of Eurasian Coots.

We saw many Red-knobbed Coots, which are fairly rare except for the group at this site. Older birds have neck bands – this was one of several juveniles.
When I saw this White Stork, I never noticed his companion, a Common Snipe.

Hoopoe Happy

The bird I most wanted to see this Spain trip is the Eurasian Hoopoe, one of the most striking and distinctive birds of the region. Last year, I missed a couple that were beside the road – and while our birding this week has been limited, today we went to a favorite site nearby, Charca de Suarez.

Today, after an hour of seeing a nice variety of species, many of which I couldn’t identify, a splashy bird with lot of color flushed. I thought it was a Kestrel but Sally felt otherwise, and spotted it up ahead where it perched in foliage. Sure enough, it was a Hoopoe. I had trouble getting a decent shot but we were happy, even as it flew off.

After more birding including some nice looks at a White Stork and Grey Heron, we stumbled on to a Hoopoe, perhaps the same one, in the middle of the road. Quick camera shots and off it went.

I want to see these guys again, it’s just a very cool bird. They winter in Africa but there’s a chance we’ll see more in the next week. In the meantime, we are Hoopoe Happy.

Pushing the camera

There are times where it seems like the combination of lousy light and long distance really push the capability of my Canon SX60, as some of these photos taken on walks this week demonstrate. Still, the document some neat birds.

This is one of the three American Kestrels hanging out at the airport.
This Merlin (?) was being mobbed by jays, crows, and a Belted Kingfisher.
Lots of juvenile Cedar Waxwings around.
Common Yellowthroats are still around.
The Great Blue Herons will head out soon.
This Bald Eagle, surveying Berlin Pond, may hang around this winter.

The Sparrow Farm Trail

One of the most scenic sites locally is also a prime birding spot – and a fine mountain bike trail. Today Ginger, our pup, and I took a little hike, seeing and hearing a few birds, but also just enjoying a pretty September morning in Vermont.

The view to the west showing Camel’s Hump peak. A Broad-winged hawk was circling and calling to add a nice touch.

The trail is part of a major network built and maintained by community groups and the city.

Ginger, my birding companion, can get a bit impatient.

Here’s a view from the trail showing the farm and one of the many Monarchs out and about.

Birding With Ginger

We have a new dog, a nine-week old Labradoodle named Ginger Ale, who I took birding for the first time this morning. I promised not to pepper the blog with puppy pictures but let me introduce her.

5.3 pounds of energy

I wanted to go up to the local airport in search of Eastern Meadowlarks, since few have been seen in the state this year, but what I found was a beehive of activity with seven Civil Air Patrol planes giving rides and towing q glider – and very little bird activity.

We walked the ramp area, watching planes and getting some exercise — it’s a place I’ve had several planes stored so it’s a little stroll down memory lane. Ginger found a nice spot to catch a rest.

After an hour or so, we loaded up and were heading down the road with the windows opened when sure enough, I heard a Meadowlark. After shedding the car behind me, turning around on the busy road, I was able to take a few shots. The cameral wasn’t set right and I had to rush things but it was a successful end to the outing.

Ridgeway’s Rail

Saturday morning, I visited the San Elijo lagoon, where the extensive construction projects that block access were shut down for the weekend. I saw lots of wonderful birds which I’ll post about later – and saw my first Ridgeway’s Rail, an endangered species.

There were three juveniles who showed themselves for just a moment

Like most rails, these were furtive and hiding in the reeds most of the time. It was a nice treat to see them and grab a couple of photos. It’s also nice to know that their riparian home here is being preserved and protected as part of the massive rail and highway projects underway.