Category: Birding With Ginger

Some Maine Birds

During our stay in Maine, we heard a nice variety of birds but many were buried in foliage and constantly moving. This Black-throated Green popped out for a quick photo op.

This Alder/Willow Flycatcher and Cedar Waxwing pair picked a dead tree for their perch.

Flycatchers aren”t singing so identifying them is pretty tough.
Even the young Downy Woodpeckers provided a challenge.

On the water, there were lots of cormorants, gulls, and ducks beyond scope range. I saw a passing White-rumped Sandpiper, a bird I haven’t seen in 8 years.

Greater Black-backed Gull – big and noisy.
Herring Gull

Just after seeing this Herring Gull, we returned to the trail and Ginger suddenly darted into the underbrush. I went after her, saw trouble, and yelled at her to come. She turned, moved toward me, and I grabbed her leash. Then I took a picture of this guy, who had just ambled up the tree a few feet. It could have been a disaster, dozens of miles from a vet. She got big-time praise and treats.

Crappy Weather, Nice Backyard Birding

One of the perks of having a puppy is that it gets you out the door numerous times a day. We live on the North Branch of the Winooski River so part of most of our outings is to stroll through the slush down to see what’s up. My first venture was early and aside from chickadees and a titmouse, not much else was awake.

Later, I spotted two Common Mergansers (likely waiting out the storm to head south) and surprisingly, a Belted Kingfisher. A bit later, I flushed a Great Blue Heron and saw another one stealthily watching us through the freezing drizzle.

Just now, on another trip, I spotted a Bald Eagle patiently perched over the river and I went back, grabbed my camera, and with the dog’s help – straining on a leash – documented this November visitor. Perhaps he’ll stick around.

Youngsters

Ginger and I had a birding venture the other morning which was delightful – there were dozens of young sparrows, many practicing their songs, and the lifting fog, changing colors, and warming temperature just added to the trip.

Early fall mornings in Vermont are cool and lovely.
This young Northern Flicker thought he was hidden.
Just one of probably 25 juvenile Song Sparrows.
Nearly every morning I’ve birded the reservoir, this local attorney is taking his pre-work workout.
I love hearing White Throated Sparrows trying out their voices, with varying degrees of success.

Most of these birds will head out but the woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, crows, and others will be around when we bird this winter here on snowshoes. But let’s not push it.

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.