I can look out my bedroom window and see the brightly polished side of the Airstream and exactly where I stopped work on Thursday. I decided to take a break Friday and go birding and so I did. I injured myself on the trail and am incapacitated for a while — so the Airstream renovation is on hold.
You can read about it on my birding blog here: https://www.vtbirder.com/birding-should-not-be-a-contact-sport/
Friday morning, I took off with the dog early in the morning to see if I could add a Peregrine Falcon to my County Big Year list. I headed toward Marshfield Mountain, a spot where they nest and are often seen, and we were heading in the narrow access road about the time the morning fog lifted. It promised to be a beautiful Vermont summer day.
Parking the truck and dousing up with bug dope, we headed down the trail, listening to warblers and enjoying the pretty morning. No one was around — there was no noise other than the dog’s crashing through the underbrush and my humming. The Deep Woods “Off” was working pretty well. I wasn’t quite sure of the directions and sure enough, took the wrong offshoot of a trail which after fifteen minutes, was obviously leading me away from the mountain. Reversing, I soon found another offshoot and started on a narrow, root-laden trail through the woods. Two Brown Creepers greeted me with their calls and cavorting. There were a lot of blowdowns across the trail from recent storms but the traveling was rather easy — and many woodland birds were active. Then, as I approached an opening where the mountain would be visible, I heard the distinctive call of a Peregrine and got a quick glimpse as it flew off.
I moved ahead to an opening and saw the cliffs of the mountain. I then traversed a rocky area and went on but soon realized that the trail was heading up part of the mountain. Given the fact that I had a leg that’s been bothering me a bit, I turned around to return to the opening where I could spend some time watching for another Peregrine.
Just as I returned to the boulder-strewn area, disaster struck. Somehow, I slipped a bit and landed hard on my right foot. My right leg crumpled and I took a hard fall with excruciating pain. I yelled and of course, the dog came back to see what was up — I just laid there, unable to move. After a bit, I attempted to right myself but could put no weight on my right leg. So, here we are, about a mile in, no cell coverage at all, and no one around. It was still early, only about 10 AM and I had a water bottle and some food so I figured, if worse came to worse, I could just stay there until help came. (Mary did know where I was and of course, the truck was at the trailhead.)
Let me just give you a snapshot of the next two and a half hours: I found a limb to use as a crutch and could only move by holding it with both hands and leaning on it as I moved my right leg, then my left. It was terribly painful and I was wincing, swearing, and falling down as the crutch slipped, and then broke in half. I found another and foot by foot, started making it up the trail. Every root or rock was a potential trouble spot and going down hill was impossible. I resorted to crawling down the hills on hands and knees, doing the same over some of the logs across the trail, and under others. I took some breaks but it was a long muddy sweaty haul.
At one point, I noted that because I was bent over, staring so intently a where to plant the stick and my foot, that I was seeing all sorts of caterpillars and frogs and insects that I had just cruised past on the way in. At one point, I even decided to check out a warbler and through sweat-stained binoculars, watched a Black-throated Green feeding down low.
I made it back to the access road but even that, relatively smooth, was challenging. Boggy spots and little stream crossings took their toll and I would go say 50 feet ok, then place my foot wrong, and cry out — and on we went. There were a couple of uphills I hadn’t noticed on the way in and they were a challenge. I had parked the truck way to the side of the road, nearly in a ditch, and had a devil of a time getting to the door to open it and get the dog in. The tall grass held back my right foot and it killed me to pull the boot ahead, so I tamped the grass down and slowly moved the foot ahead. Getting up into the tall truck was also fun — I couldn’t get my right leg under the steering well and finally crawled nearly to the passenger side to get my boot past the brake pedal. Then we ran the air conditioner, drank water, and gave thanks.
The trip home was tough because I could not lift my right leg to get to the brake pedal. I finally got into a system of grabbing my leg when I needed to move it and also using second gear to slow down. I had to go about 20 minutes before cell coverage and called Mary from Plainfield. Since the dog was with me and it was now pretty warm out, I needed to get her home before hitting the ER.
Mary had lined up our neighbor to help me. She got the dog straightened out with water and food down cellar and David then helped me struggle from the truck to Mary’s Civic — which is pretty tight even when I’m healthy. We got situated, to the ER, and went through a series of exams and X-rays. The folks, on a beautiful Friday afternoon, were great and the results showed no broken bones. They put a brace on me, got me set up with crutches and some meds, and we were on our way home. Of course, the leg in a brace didn’t really fit in the Honda, even with the seat way back so it was a tough ride home. Then, I couldn’t make it up our shed steps so I just crawled into the house on hands and knees, dragging my new brace.
So, not much has changed in a day. The doc thinks I might be something related to the knee but we’ll have to see an ortho surgeon next week. It was quite an effort for County Bird #131. I think most of my birding in early August will be reading birding blogs — but I’m thankful for getting out of the woods, good health care, and wonderful support from Mary, family, and friends.
As you know if you follow my Vermont Airstreamers blog, I’m in the midst of a major renovation project and thus, am spending little time for birding. This morning, I was tempted to spend an hour or two early at North Branch Nature Center, seeing if I could run into the Black-billed Cuckoo they have been hearing nearly daily. I have been down there on several occasions recently with no luck — and today I decided to press on and get some errands done downtown. I came home with my supplies for the Airstream project and after coffee, headed out to strip some clear coat off two stubborn panels.
I had tested a couple of stripping compounds and had just started to check them when I heard a cuckoo sound just across the driveway and up in the woods. I ran to the garage to get my binoculars and Mary, whose window was open, said, “Was that a cuckoo?” I said it was and went up to look for a few minutes but it had ceased calling. I returned to my project since I needed to rinse off the stripper before it dried on. About then, the Black-billed Cuckoo called again from a different spot.
So, I had my cuckoo — a life bird and a County bird — but I was not satisfied because up to this point, have always seen the bird I log as a life bird. I know that hearing it is a positive ID and I worked for about another fifteen minutes, hearing the bird periodically. Finally, I decided to drop things, get the dog, and go for a little walk looking for it. And so we did, down the driveway and across the road where I last heard it. After ten minutes, I caught movement of a cuckoo-sized bird but had trouble finding it in the foliage. I finally got part of it in the binoculars just as it started a very soft co0-coo-coo. I fiddled with the camera, struggled to get it in the frame, and snapped off a couple of shots for a record. I grabbed the binoculars as a second cuckoo joined the first but they moved off before I could get the camera up again. They moved off, calling now and then, and the dog and I returned up to the trailer to get back to work.
Black-billed Cuckoos have been a nemesis bird for me now for several years – I can’t tell you how many trips I’ve made to look for them. And two just show up in our dooryard! Such is birding. I’m glad I got a good look and the photo – it feels more like a real life bird — number 357 and the second one this month.
After a nice cold front passage, the dawn chorus this morning, starting before five, was lovely. Several very persostent and loud American Robins sang non-stop, nearly drowning out the other singers. Song Sparrows tuned up as did Common Yellowthroats and Purple Finches. A ways off, a White-throated Sparrow sang the “peabody, peabody” tune. Then, about 5:30, it got very still except for the quiet cooing of a Mourning Dove. What a lovely way to start a summer Sunday in Vermont.
I put out the bird feeder and suet about six and a Hairy Woodpecker shows up right away with a “it’s about time” attitude. Four finches hit the feeder as does a chickadee. I hear our first Chestnut-sided Warbler and Blue Jay.
On our early morning walk, the dog and I took our time, she checking new smells, I listening for bird calls and enjoying the cool morning air. A sweatshirt felt good — a little unreal after the 90+ temperatures of last week. I heard a Brown Creeper and then an Ovenbird. The bird activity picked up again as the sun rose.
I heard a Black and White Warbler and then a Yellow-rumped Warbler began singing right overhead. I chased it around with the binoculars and then the camera but it moved pretty erratically. I grabbed a couple of lousy shots including this one:
Down in the meadow, things were hopping in the dew-soaked goldenrod. Several Common Yellowthroats and about a half dozen Song Sparrows cavorted. The foliage and weak morning light made photos tough. Here are a couple:
I happened to look up just as a hawk, likely a Broad-winged, flew over with a rodent in its talons. It was being harassed by a group of smaller birds. It returned, empty-handed, a bit later and I suspected it might have youngsters to feed. Several Red-eyed Vireos started up in the tall sugar maples, singing their seemingly never-ending song. I could spot them but they were way up there and moving a lot.
As I headed back, I thought about how precious these days are, filled as they are with bird song and many youngsters learning the ropes. They’ll be heading out soon — I haven’t seen our Rose-breased Grosbeak pair in about a week and suspect they are easing southward. I was encouraged, as I poured another coffee, to see one of our juvenile hummers tanking up. They have a long trip ahead of them.
Hummingbirds are a thrill to watch! Their brain is about the size of a BB. The nest is constructed of plant down, spider webs, lichen & tree sap. Hummers eat about every 10 minutes. Their long tongues aid in nectaring. Hummingbirds’hearts are larger proportionally to their body than any other bird or mammal. There are over 325 species of hummingbirds, making them the second largest family of birds in the world, second only to flycatchers.
Here’s a primer on hummingbird vocabulary. You’ll appreciate these gems more & share their beauty knowing these terms…
Bill – The bony, keratin-covered projection of a bird’s mouth – A hummingbird’s long, thin bill is specially designed for sipping nectar & is one of the most distinctive features of these birds. The length, thickness, color & curve of the bill varies by species.
Dimorphic – The distinct physical differences between genders – Most hummingbird males are brightly colored & iridescent while females are plain, affording them to stay camouflaged while nesting. Young male hummingbirds often resemble females but will attain more color as they mature.
Gorget – The brightly colored throat patch – Many male hummingbirds have distinctly colored gorgets that serve as key field marks for proper
identification based on the gorget’s color & shape. The gorget is often flared to show off its brilliance while breeding or defending territory.
Hyperphagia – A hormonally-induced state of extreme appetite & overeating prior to migration – Hummingbirds may increase their mass by 50 percent or more before migrating so they have enough energy for the journey. Bird feeders are especially important to help hummingbirds gain this weight.
Insectivorous – A diet that consists primarily of insects – While hummingbirds are known for drinking nectar, they also eat a great number of insects as a source of protein, often picking them from spider webs or out of the air. Insects are especially important for young birds so they will develop properly.
Iridescent – Shimmering feathers with metallic-like colors that may change color when seen from different angles – Many hummingbirds have iridescent throats & upperparts, & the exact colors, when seen in good light, are a key to proper hummingbird identification.
Nectar – The sugary water produced by many flowers that is a main food source for hummingbirds – The exact sugar concentration of nectar from different flower types can vary. Use the simple recipe of sugar & water to fill hummingbird feeders ~ no red dye please!
Nectivorous – A diet that consists primarily of nectar – All hummingbirds are nectivorous & may feed dozens of times a day, visiting different flowers & feeders. Hummingbird feeding is important for the pollination of many flowers, & hummingbirds will frequently visit nectar feeders as well.
Guest post by:
Sue McGrath
Newburyport Birders
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
newburyportbirders@comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com
Yesterday morning, in spite of the damp misty tropic-like air, I decided to do a little birding at the North Branch Nature Center with the Vizsla. I was hoping to hear/see the Black-billed Cuckoo that they heard the day before — but yet another try and failure for this nemesis bird for me. However, I did get a wonderful birding bonus, one of those non-avian observations that make one glad he’s outside with binos and a camera.
I doused myself with Deep Woods Off before heading out but the mosquitoes were unrelenting — there were dozens swirling around my head and laughing at the repellant. I’m not sure that might also have be lapping at it as well. But the birds were active and Blackburnian Warblers and American Redstarts flashed through the foliage, singing away. The fields are like jungle but the center keeps a series of paths mowed so, aside from the swampy areas, it’s easy going. I had about 20 species logged when I came through a little opening and saw two ears elevated. I could hardly see the deer (in spite of being 6-3) but I held the camera over my head and using the screen, shot this picture.
I moved slowly so as to not disturb the doe who had not smelled us. The dog, being way below the foliage on the path, on a leash, had no clue she was there. The path circled her and she watched me the whole time as I moved away, but was never disturbed. It was a beautiful moment — she just looked so peaceful there in her big patch of tall ferns.
We went on the get ten or so more species including a Green Heron flying overhead. It felt like birding in Alabama and I was drenched when we got back to the car, just in time to see the day campers getting ready to head out and search the beaver pond for vertebrates. They likely came back a lot muddier and wetter than I — and the cuckoo better wait around for me — I’ll be back.
After our recent trip to Massachusetts, I was a little tired of the “geeing and hawing” of maneuvering the Airstream out of our winding driveway, through crowded downtowns and tight construction zones, and in and out of parking sites. To say nothing of the hitching up, with the help of mosquitoes, and the setting up after arrival. I think the incessant heat and humidity were getting to me.
I got thinking, ” Wouldn’t it be nice just to have everything in one unit?” (I think every rv owner thinks about what other rigs might work better – and there are pros and cons to each option.) I have been intrigued with the Class B Airstream, in spite of its hefty $100k plus price tag new. We have no Airstream dealers close by so the other day, I paid a visit to a local rv dealer, Vermont Country Campers, to check out a few of their Class B and Class C campers.
It was a hot morning and I was reluctant to drag a sales guy out of his air-conditioned office and made it clear that I was just “tire-kicking.” The first unit I went into was this expensive Winnebago diesel which is similar to the Airstream Interstate.
I was impressed with the design and the fuel economy but saw no need for the two extra captain’s chairs taking up valuable space. The $125k price tag was … well, not in our price range. The salesman, in talking about the lack of storage, said “You wouldn’t be taking bikes and lawn chairs in this.” (Which made me think of all the gear we haul in the truck.)
I’ve seen many RoadTrek vans in our travels and their owners seem to love them – except during long stretches of rainy days where they can develop cabin fever. As soon as I entered the unit shown below, and could not even stand upright, I knew these Class B’s were not for us. Even used and affordable ones.
I looked at a couple of Class C’s, ones with the little bunk area over the truck cab, but by now was realizing that this little Saturday morning fling was over. I thanked the guy, who had been very accomodating, and drove away in the truck thinking, “that old Airstream may be our best bet.”
Who knows, we may upgrade to a newer model Airstream, buy an older one with more character, or continue to improve our present rig. Stay tuned. (photos courtesy of Vermont Country Campers)
The fog was just lifting this morning when the dog and I launched out on a wet birding adventure at the Sparrow Farm trail. I was looking for Bobolinks since I had yet to see one in the county this year — and no sooner had we left the truck when I heard and saw several in the large unmowed hayfield before us. They were fun to follow with the binoculars and were very actively flying, courting, and calling. Taking photos of them was a challenge: they were up and then back down in the grass before I could focus on them. They were pretty heavy for the wet stalks and sort of drooped down out of sight. Here’s one just to prove I was there.
I also heard Wilson’s Snipes winnowing – something I had heard before there. Today, they were flying, high in the sky like remote controlled model planes, winnowing as they zoomed and dove. I tried some flight shots — what a joke? They were fast and quite a ways up there. Here are a couple of lame photos.
We had a nice walk through the marshy area into the woods and picked up, by ear and site, about 28 other species. As we finished, the high pitched call of Cedar Waxwings alerted me to a couple just behind me on a low tree. Here’s one of them.
And then, in a birding bonus, a young woodchuck posed for us. The dog was on her leash and never saw it — fortunately for my arm muscles.
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Most of us, when we stop to think about it, have encountered things while birding that we likely would not have seen otherwise. Birders on the VTBird listserve recently had a short exchange on this subject which was very interesting. Roy Pilcher started it (I believe) by writing:
Most of us who spend a reasonable amount of time birding have from time to time welcomed a non-birding experience. Today was such a day!
In a field a doe.
Not any doe but a doe with a fawn.
Not any doe with a fawn but a doe with a suckling fawn!
Very nice!
Later, Alison Wagner, another outstanding birder, wrote:
When kids ask me, “Why do you like birds so much?” I usually respond, “because they are easy to see. If I go birding, I’ll be sure to see a bird. If I go bobcatting, chances are I won’t see one. IF I go birding and SEE a bobcat, that’s a bonus! ”
Kids do this all the time, starting out on a bird walk and seeing so many other forms of nature. Yesterday, with The Hinesburders, we found a muskrat.
It got me thinking about what non-birding things I have seen and I sort of was drawing a blank — until yesterday. Penny, our Vizsla, and I were out in our woods walking quietly, listening to bird songs, when I noticed some movement up ahead and saw a Coyote, or CoyDog, quietly moving through the ferns and underbrush, nose to the ground. It was close and I got my camera on it but the trees and ferns kept blocking it. It never saw or smelled us but it was moving closer, and Penny was behind me and doing her own thing. So I yelled, and it wheeled and ran with my red dog chasing right behind it. I yelled and yelled at the dog and fortunately, she gave up after just a few hundred yards and came running back, all cranked up and ready to rumble. We retreated back toward the house and all is well. It was probably the kind of bonus that I don’t need with a dog along, but even then, a thrill.
On a less exciting vein, I thought about some birding walks we took at Ricker Pond State Park earlier this week and thought of the Pink Lady’s Slipper that I found along a trail. It was definitely a birding bonus.
What are your bonus birding stories? Send me a few paragraphs at vtbirder at gmail.com. I’d love to publish a few collections of experiences that others have had. What is the most interesting thing you have seen while birding that you likely would not have seen otherwise?
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Seeing the influx of juvenile Purple Finches discovering our bird feeder each morning, I get another sign that birds are nesting, chicks are fledging, and juveniles are chowing down. Here are a few photos I took of momma birds doing their thing:
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