Getting Ready For Winter Traveling

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Richard

With the exterior polishing project shut down due to my knee operation, there’s been a hiatus of sorts on Airstream work until the last few weeks, when I started to get serious about readying the rig for our upcoming trip.  Last week, with cold weather forecast, I drained the water system and winterized it with RV anti-freeze.  There is a sequence of isolating and draining the hot water tank, switching a valve so that the water pump pulls from a gallon jug, and then the pumping until pink liquid comes out the fixture.  I think everything is set — we will find out in late December when we hit warmer weather and get the water running (and hopefully not spraying through cracked pipes or joints) again.

In spite of only getting about 1/2 of the polishing process, the old girl looks ok. I'll bring the polishing gear and perhaps work on it in the SW -- otherwise next summer.

In spite of only getting about 1/2 of the polishing process, the old girl looks ok. I’ll bring the polishing gear and perhaps work on it in the SW — otherwise next summer.

Last trip, I built some shelving for the shower — which we seldom  use — and we found it handy for storing clean and dirty laundry.  This trip, we decided we might want to use the shower (rather than always relying on public facilities) so out the carefully-built wood came and I stored it overhead in the garage in case we change our mind after this jaunt.

I ordered a new latch, and a new air-relief valve for the shower from Out-of-Doors Mart, a fine mail order place for Airstream gear, and after those little tasks were done, I tackled some of the safety systems.

Checking fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and LP detectors, I found that our aged LP unit was intermittent.  It was also too close to the door so I bought a new one and installed it in a better place — after quite a time finding 12v lines available to extend.  Now we need to look at CO monitors and buy a new smoke alarm.  (A lot of the gear is original which means it is 14 years old.)

LPDetectorW

We stopped using the gas furnace system several years ago because the electric blower was a real energy hog and drained the battery quite fast.  We installed a catalytic heater to take its place and it works quite well.  However, as we found in 2012, the first few nights in Walmart lots can be pretty cold — so I decided to see if we could resurrect the old furnace.

I’ve had really good success getting repair work done at Mekkelsen RV, a local dealer who seldom services an Airstream.  Systems are systems though and they are pros so next week, off we go to get furnace work done.  I also thought, “You know, I don’t want to be driving in West Texas thinking, ‘I wonder if I should have gotten those bearings greased?’ so that’s on the list as well.  They tuned up the rest of the gas system this spring so with this, we should be all set.

The game plan is to move the ‘stream to Merrimac, MA at Thanksgiving and launch from there right after Christmas.  Stay tuned, it’s always an adventure.

Posted in Airstream, battery, polishing, propane, rig maintenance, Southwest trip, winterization | Comments Off on Getting Ready For Winter Traveling

Project Feederwatch Launches New Web Tools

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Richard

Common Redpoll photo by Missy Mandel

The next season for the Project FeederWatch Citizen Science program begins in just one week! Share your observations about the birds coming to your feeders between November and April, and help reveal important patterns in bird numbers and distribution over time. The FeederWatch website has a fresh look for the program’s 27th season as a North America-wide initiative, and offers new web tools to make participation and exploration even easier and more fun.

Check out the interactive Common Feeder Birds online tool to explore food and feeder preferences for nearly 100 species of common feeder birds! This exciting new resource is cross-referenced and searchable by region, bird species, food type, and feeder type.

We also recommend a visit to the Ontario FeederWatch Cam to enjoy a live view of activity at the feeders of Bird Studies Canada members Tammie and Ben Haché in Manitouwadge, ON. If you aren’t lucky enough to have Evening Grosbeaks in your neighbourhood this weekend, try catching a glimpse of them online at the Hachés’ feeders!

from Bird Studies Canada newsletter

Posted in Backyard birds, bird feeding | Comments Off on Project Feederwatch Launches New Web Tools

Hey, Stop Harassing That Eagle!

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Richard

It was a chilly morning with a stiff wind.  Penny and I were headed down the closed-off road to the Wrightsville Reservoir rec area to check for waterfowl and get some exercise. Lugging my scope over my shoulder and binoculars and camera from my neck, I felt like a pack mule while the dog ran here and there.  There’s no one around this time of year so it’s a great place for us – and only a mile from home.

My hands were freezing in the thin gloves — I realized that the hand warmers, guaranteed for 10 hours, were last year’s supply and had lost their pizzaz.  I didn’t even get 10 minutes.

As I carefully approached the water, I set up in the woods and immediately saw a Great Blue Heron fishing on the far bank.  The water was roiling and the wind was tough, so I headed down on the loop we often take, planning to keep it a short one.

I saw some movement — a large bird flying — and thought that the heron had flushed.  Then, in my binoculars, I saw that it was a Bald Eagle, being harassed by crows.  I fumbled for the camera, turned it on, set the dial for action shots, and with frosty fingers, took a few shots.

Two crows pester a young bald eagle -- Wrightsville Reservoir, VT

Two crows pester a young bald eagle — Wrightsville Reservoir, VT

The trio circled above us, whipped by the winds and disappearing now and then over the tree line.  I fired away but in situations like this, I find out that I am a birder who carries a camera, not a photographer who happens to bird.  Here are a couple of highly cropped shots:

I have seen this eagle once before here -- I am guessing that it is a 2nd-year bird from the markings.

I have seen this eagle once before here.  I am guessing that it is a 2nd-year bird from the markings.

Eagle2W

It was only a show of several minutes but exciting — Bald Eagles are scarce enough in the area (I saw one other last February) that they are a treat for a birder.

We struck out on waterfowl and the wind had driven all the sparrows and friends deep into cover so we cut it short, but I for one didn’t feel cheated.  As an aviator, to see the eagle gracefully soaring on flat wings ignoring  the dive-bombing of the crows was fun and worth a few white fingers.

Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | Tagged | 4 Comments

What’s not to love about Winter Wrens?

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Richard

We have had a pair of Winter Wrens in our woods all the Fall and while they don’t sing the way they do in the spring, they chip away at the dog and me on nearly every walk. I know just where they hang out — in a brushy area with some old apple trees — and I can hear one of them before we approach. Because they are low to the ground, the dog too often gets interested.

So, I have been on a quest to get a photo or two of these cute little balls of energy. Sometimes I don’t have my camera, other times it is too dark, but too frequently, the guys just move too fast in the brush, popping up for clear looks once in a while. I got lucky the other day.

Here's how we normally see our Winter Wrens, visible but surrounded by brush and branches.

Here’s how we normally see our Winter Wrens, visible but surrounded by brush and branches.

But this guy just popped up for a "What are you doing?" pose. 1/250 f/6.5 215 mm

But this guy just popped up for a “What are you doing?” pose. 1/250 f/6.5 215 mm

I just love these birds — feisty, inquisitive, and a beautiful singer. Glad we have a good habitat for them — and I look forward to their springtime calls that seem to go on forever. Have a good winter, buddy.

 

Posted in Backyard birds, Local Birding, Vermont Birding | Tagged | 1 Comment

Some birds of Merrimac, MA

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Richard

There are some farm fields not far from Jennifer’s house which have nice tree and brush lines and are a favorite place to bird while allowing the dog to roam to her heart’s content. We spent an hour there the evening before leaving for Vermont and it was a nice productive outing.

I nearly always hear and see Red-bellied Woodpeckers which are pretty special since they hardly ever frequent my Vermont haunts — and sure enough, there were at least three squawking and pecking away. Penny works ahead of me up the windrows of plants and weeds and for a while, all I saw were wings and tails of small brown birds. They were Song Sparrows and a whole host of Dark-eyed Juncos.

Heading up the second open field, two raptors suddenly soared overhead pretty low. I got the bins on them and then tried to frame them in the camera as they circled, often blocked by trees. At first I thought they were Red-tails but there was no red on either tail — and I’m pretty certain that they were Rough-legged Hawks. ( a birder friend, Sue McGrath wrote that they appear to be Red-tails, and I defer to her expertise.) Here’s one of them:

Rough-legged hawk circling farm field in Merrimac.

Red-tailed Hawk circling farm field in Merrimac.

We walked up to the fields on top, enjoying the fall afternoon but not seeing much, but returning, I noticed a couple of birds high in a tree down at the end of the field. The light was awful — I could not figure out what they were as we descended. I got closer and closer, with the dog cruising here and there, figuring that they would get scared off. Finally, almost right below them, I got to a place where the sun was behind me and sure enough, they were a couple of Rusty Blackbirds.

Rusty Blackbird high in tree

Rusty Blackbird high in tree

The truck was parked by an abandoned landfill which often has a lot of birds around it. As we approached, I saw some Tufted Titmice foraging in the leaves but then noted some flashes of blue — brighter than the Titmice. About six Eastern Bluebirds were feeding and being relatively uncooperative for long-range photos. The one I zeroed in on was doing all sorts of grooming but finally slowed down enough for this shot:

This Bluebird spent five minutes grooming, and still has some feathers askew.

This Bluebird spent five minutes grooming, and still has some feathers askew.

I had logged my sightings into Birdlog as we went along and so I submitted the report as I got back to the truck. Just as the report swooshed off, I heard a Pileated Woodpecker – a nice ending to a nice outing.

 

Posted in Jennifer's, MA Birding | 1 Comment

Birding and Birthdays – Day 2

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Richard

We started Monday in Massachusetts by wishing grandson Mac a happy 13th birthday as he got ready for school.  He was off to class and I was off to bird.

Mac off to school as a thirteen year-old.

Mac off to school as a thirteen year-old.

Penny and I travelled over to one of my favorite spots for birding with a dog — Salisbury Beach State Reservation, one of the state’s most popular ocean beaches, stretching 3.8 miles along the Atlantic Ocean.  We got there about 8 AM and no one was on the beach — so Penny just took off, racing down to the water, running to and fro.  Meanwhile, in a cool wind, I was scoping the ocean, hoping for Northern Gannets (which I never saw.)

Hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants were heading south in rather large gatherings, catching the northerly wind.  Other groups, like the ones below, seemed to be heading south by swimming part of the way.

"Hey guys, keep the line straight. There's a guy trying to take our picture."

“Hey guys, keep the line straight. There’s a guy trying to take our picture.”

I spotted a number of Common Loons and four Red-necked Grebes, which were too far out for clear photos. People were starting to show up with dogs to exercise so I caught my anti-social Vizsla and headed to the boat ramp and an access point on the Merrimac River.

The Merrimack is a powerful tidal river with lots of fish and birds. This is looking southward to Plum Island. There are Harbor Seals and Brants as well as the boat.

The Merrimack is a powerful tidal river with lots of fish and birds. This is looking southward to Plum Island. There are Harbor Seals and Brants as well as the boat.

This is the time of year that Harbor Seals hang out on the rocks and in the Merrimack.  It’s fun to see them laying in chilly air, like sunbathers, and to see them float along like an inflated animal balloon.

Harbor seals can be seen in and around the mouth of the Merrimack River during the fall and winter. You can read a short overview about harbor seals or find a more detailed article about this species if you want to learn more about these interesting animals).

Harbor seals can be seen in and around the mouth of the Merrimack River during the fall and winter. You can read a short overview about harbor seals  if you want to learn more about these interesting animals).

An abundant small goose of the ocean shores, the Brant breeds in the high Arctic tundra and winters along both coasts. Note the Harbor Seal coasting by on its back.

An abundant small goose of the ocean shores, the Brant breeds in the high Arctic tundra and winters along both coasts. Note the Harbor Seal coasting by on its back.

With some shorebirds, a bunch of Northern Mockingbirds, and three aerobatic Northern Harriers as part of the morning’s sightings, it was another good outing at Salisbury.  Both Penny and I were ready for some refreshment and rest.

 

 

Posted in Jennifer's, MA Birding, Salisbury State Park | Tagged | Comments Off on Birding and Birthdays – Day 2

Birding and Birthdays — Day 1

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Richard

We loaded up the truck Saturday afternoon and headed to MA (sans Airstream since it was a quick trip) to celebrate two important birthdays:  daughter Jen’s 50th and grandson Mac’s 13th.  The dog and I grabbed some good walks and birding as part of the deal.

I love to bird Parker River NWR when I’m visiting but since they do not allow dogs, it was out this trip.  Sunday, Penny and I went over to check out a few favorite spots in West Newbury.  Cherry Hill Reservoir always seems to have interesting birds and as I drove up, I could see hundreds of Ruddy Ducks sleeping and occasionally diving to feed.  Here are a couple:

Ruddy Ducks dive to feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially midge larvae. They feed most actively at night, so you’ll often see Ruddy Ducks sleeping during the day, head tucked under a wing and tail cocked up.

Ruddy Ducks dive to feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially midge larvae. They feed most actively at night, so you’ll often see Ruddy Ducks sleeping during the day, head tucked under a wing and tail cocked up.

I was hoping to walk the dog along the eastern shore where there is a nice trail and lots of sparrows but a guy showed up with a dog just as I did, and I decided to move on.  So we drove a few miles over to Artichoke Reservoir where last year, I had seen some Greater White-fronted geese.

I had forgotten that last year, I got tangled up in a big road race that starts in Newburyport and weaves its way up along the reservoir.  I was literally right in the middle of the back of the pack with the big truck as joggers and walker, most with earphones, moved up the narrow winding road.  I finally got to an intersection where I could escape and I returned the following day for the geese.  So, when I saw a small “road race 11-2” sign I realized that it was going to happen again, if I stuck around.

I had recalled seeing a gated woods road back aways at the south end of the reservoir so returning there, Penny and I had a great outing.  There was no one around and she could run down the oak-lined farm road to her heart’s content.  As we approached the outlet to the reservoir, I heard the croak of a Great Blue Heron and up ahead in the marsh, I saw it.  I took a long distance shot before the dog scared it off.

"As my buddy Big Pappi says, 'This is my #$%@! marsh!"

“As my buddy Big Pappi says, ‘This is my #$%@! marsh!”

Further ahead, there was an overgrown trail that lead to the marshy shoreline.  I flushed about 25 Mallards but across the water, there were dozens of Canada Geese and an old farm.

Farm1W

We finished up our walk as Penny romped through the farm fields.  I got home in time to change, get to a birthday  lunch with Jennifer, Mary, Mac, and Ben, and return to the house for dessert.  Here’s the birthday girl and the killer cake that Ben ordered — it made me glad we’d done some much walking.  I knew that we had another cake for Mac on Monday.

Jen1W

Posted in Jennifer's, MA Birding | 3 Comments

Natural surprises while birding

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Richard

Three doe, which I see most outings in our woods, eased off into the brush this afternoon, as the dog and I began another birding trip around our loop.  They flicked their tails a bit but we passed them quickly and let them be.  But it did get me thinking about non-bird stuff we see every day while birding.

This morning while birding at the local reservoir, I found a beaver “slide”cut down an embankment where the animals slide the smaller trees they have felled.  The beavers were elsewhere but had been getting ready for winter.

It brought to mind a delightful experience last week at Berlin Pond where I noted some movement far across the water.  I got my scope set up and saw a couple of “sea serpents” cavorting through the shallows.  I kept looking, not believing the length of them and the long pointed tails that entered the water last as they undulated, seemingly chasing one another.  I was wishing for one of my naturalist friends to come by and help me figure it out — it was my first good look at River Otters in action.  Of course, when I went to the truck for the camera, they moved into the reeds — but it was a neat moment.

We have had a young buck on our property this year — I saw him earlier when his antlers were in velvet.  Penny and I jumped him again the other day and he loped a quarter mile to the hillside across from us and posed.  Here is the very long distant shot I took:

Deer1W

Perhaps the most interesting observation this year was two weeks ago, early in the morning as it was just getting light, as Penny and I just started out from the house.  I saw some movement, black fur, and thought, “Great, a bear cub.”  I got my binoculars on it to see a Fisher Cat watching me.  I wasn’t sure of the identification until it turned to move away and I saw the long black tail.  Fortunately, the dog was engaged elsewhere and never saw it.  It was the first one I’ve ever seen and quite a start to that walk.

So, the things we’ve seen before in our woods but not yet this year include porcupines, a coy dog, raccoons, several black bears, and a big bull moose.   Given the fact that the Vizsla is always roaming with me, I’m fine with not seeing them again.

 

 

Posted in Local Birding, nature, Vizsla, Wildlife Watching | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Natural surprises while birding

California, here we come

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Richard

Our son Robb and his family recently moved to Del Mar, California. While it is still a long ways from Texas, I have been hoping that we could bird in Arizona this year so .. Why not? So yesterday, I booked the last shore side camping site available for school vacation next February at South Carlsbad State Park. It overlooks the Pacific and is not too far away from our gang. I’m already reading about birding hotspots – never having birded in the west, there’s a lot of potential life birds.

Another part of the preparation was to add a cap to the truck and two days ago, the one I had ordered arrived and was installed. This one, unlike our last one, has side windows that swing up so that you can access things in the front of the truck bed. I’ll miss hauling everything out to get at a toolbox. It is a custom Leer cap and looks great, as you can see below.

Lots of planning to do as we prepare for a late December launch. I got the shower working today and fixed a few loose items. Of course, the closer you look the more you see and I’m ordering small parts weekly. Also ordered a couple of California bird books. Westward ho – we hope.

Posted in CA camping, Southwest trip, Tow vehicle, Trip Planning | Comments Off on California, here we come

Hermit Thrush – Vermont State Bird

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Richard

One of the wonderful harbingers of spring is the fluid call of the Hermit Thrush.  Always starting on a different key, the song is unmistakeable and just a delight.  But this time of year, while the birds are still around, all you get is a chip once in a while.

This morning, while doing some birding prior to appointments, I visited a favorite spot up by nearby Berlin Pond and along with some warblers and vireos, found this guy (or gal) hanging out in the lower branches of some trees along the road.  Not a great shot but it’s hard to get HETH’s in the open.

Hermit Thrush - Berlin IBA - Oct 3, 2013

Hermit Thrush – Berlin IBA – Oct 3, 2013

So, it got me thinking about this state bird of ours.  I did a little checking and found out that it was a contentious choice.  Here’s how one web site described it:

As in so many states, the Vermont Federated Women’s Clubs played a part in the adoption of the Vermont state bird. They adopted, in 1927, the hermit thrush (Hylocichla gutta pallasi) as their state bird.

It was not so easy for the hermit thrush to gain status as the official state bird of Vermont. According to the Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994:

“Among other things, it was not considered a true Vermonter because, unlike the blue jay or crow (which were favored by some legislators), the Hermit Thrush leaves Vermont during the winter in its southward migration. The record is not clear, but this bird was selected to represent Vermont, among other things, because it has a distinctive sweet call, and because it is found in all of Vermont’s 14 counties.”

The hermit thrush was adopted as the official state bird of Vermont by an act of the Legislature in 1941, effective June 1, 1941.

State bird or not, it’s one of my favorites.  We have dozens of them on our property and they are part of our spring/summer early morning dog walks.  We don’t consider them flatlanders.

Posted in Backyard birds, State bird, Vermont Birding | Tagged | Comments Off on Hermit Thrush – Vermont State Bird