Here are some birds from several outings we’ve had locally during a beautiful but too dry, Fall season. Many of these shots were taken with a Labradoodle straining on with leash to “help.”
Many birds are moving out and others are gathering to do so. But we have the finches, juncos, and siskins coming. They and the faithful crows, nuthatches, chickadees, blue jays, woodpeckers, and titmice will slug through the winter with us, as we continue to hunker down and get out to enjoy Vermont. Be safe.
Ginger and I have been exploring a local forest and its network of trails. Yesterday, we walked and birded for nearly three hours and never saw anyone.
It was quiet: there were no road noises, chainsaws, people, or dogs – all was I could hear was the jingle of her harness, the chirps and trills of the ever-present chickadees, and calling of crows and the drumming of woodpeckers. It was lovely as the temperature climbed from 45 into the sixties – a perfect Fall morning and a welcome break from the onslaught of disturbing news in the nation and the world.
I took my time and saw a lot of birds but thought I’d first give you a flavor of the trek. I’ll sort the birds out next post.
These old farmlands have a variety of stone walls, old foundations, interesting debris, and lots of natural features that catch your eye. This massive boulder right near the start has a big crack and missing piece that piques the imagination.
The leaves are starting to turn and it’s goldenrod and aster time in Vermont.
Some of the forest is being used for sugaring.
Here are a few more shots from the walk:
It is heartening to know that these trails and quiet forest have been preserved and protected for future generations.
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.
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.
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.
We spent last week in Maine, doing some sight-seeing, a little birding, and enjoying the quiet and beauty around us.
We drove over to Eastport and saw this massive cruise ship and the mermaid sculpture, and walked and shopped a bit.
We had a great time and hope to return next year. Next post will have a few of the birds we saw.
Lots of young birds active – White-throated Sparrows practicing their song, Blue Jays begging for food, and many inquisitive youngsters.
We have enjoyed the energy and singing of our House Wrens and wondered about their offspring, which they been feeding pretty continually the last week or two. It was only yesterday when I saw faces at the bird house entrance and I spent some time quietly watching them yesterday afternoon.
I left them alone and I think they left in shortly afterward. Last evening, I could hear the adults and some begging sounds but the fledglings were buried in the thick foliage. This morning, I saw this proud parent on the woodpile.
Ovenbirds are loud in the woods, their “teacher, teacher, teacher” call resonating loudly but they themselves tough to spot. Yesterday I saw a number of them, chipping at me as the dog and I walked along the trail. I’m not sure if they were youngsters upset with the intrusion or adults distracting us from nearby ground nests. In any case, they were the first I’ve seen this year.
Bird walks in the woods these days seem to feature persistent calls from two birds that are tough to see: Red-eyed Vireo and Ovenbird. And these shots from the last couple of outings don’t include them. However, in spite of heavy foliage there are other birds, often young ones, moving about. Here are a few starting with one of our most common, Song Sparrows. Lots of young ones around.
Common Yellowthroats are also pretty common but hard to photograph — always moving. This one faked me out at first but my friend Rich wrote: “I think we can safely say that this is a male Geothlypis trichas trichas, too, or at least in that grouping on eBird, as it lacks a yellow border to the black mask, has a white-ish belly, and an extensive yellow throat.”
Lastly, one of the most persistent singers are Chestnut-sided Warblers, but again, often buried in the leaves these days.
As I write this, I can hear a Black & White Warbler in the woods just across the busy street. This is “birding by ear” time and that sure beats “frozen fingers on the binoculars” time. Be safe and enjoy the birds of summer.
This Spring we have many birds nesting right here in our backyard. House Wrens are on their second batch while we know there are other nesters like Song Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats, woodpeckers, and Grey Catbirds. Yesterday, we added Cedar Waxing to the list.
I’ve yet to find nests but hear a lot of feeding activity — the thick brambles and foliage are perfect for them. I’d just as soon just leave them alone and wait for the youngsters.
For several weeks, we have enjoyed seeing a pair of Canada Geese rear a young family on the river right out back. We seen them teaching the goslings to bathe themselves and get started on learning to fly. Some days they are right out back, other times they are up to a half-mile upriver. The youngster count has stayed at six for several weeks. Here they are on an outing yesterday:
