Vermont Birder

Looking for Mr. Bluebird

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Richard

One of the birds I’ve missed seeing for my County bird list is European Bluebird so yesterday morning, I took the dog for a Saturday morning bird walk at the North Branch Nature Center. I knew that they had been seeing a couple there but I’d missed them each visit. This time, I saw one before I even got the truck parked.

A male bluebird was staking out a nesting box but being hassled by Tree Swallows. I watched a dozen swallows chasing each other, harassing the bluebird — just doing their thing. Now the center has a “leash your dog” policy and since I’m a board member, I adhere to that — so the first thing I did was to hitch Penny’s leash to my belt. Nothing like having a 60 pound lunger, explorer tied to you while trying to focus on birds. Even more challenging taking photos but I got a few.

Tree Swallows were competing big time for the nesting boxes.

Here a male bluebird watches while a swallow races by.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bluebird was watching it all far away in the community garden.

Penny and I had a good outing, hearing and seeing a number of birds. It was a certain amount of tangled leash, stopping to sniff clumps of grass (her, not me), but a beautiful morning to be out. Toward the end of the walk, I heard and then saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet working it’s way around some leafless trees. I had never heard, knowingly, the wonderful vocalization these tiny guys and gals have. Here’s a photo I took as it landed or departed — you’ll have to take my word that it’s a kinglet.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet comes in for a landing.

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Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | 1 Comment

Local Birding With The Vizsla

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Richard

I decided to stay close to home today as I work through a partial recovery of my pinched neck nerve. Walking and exercise seems to help while driving can be problematic.

Just before we started out, this White-throated Sparrow was chowing down on thistle seed.

So, Penny and I trucked down to the Wrightsville Reservoir where she can run free and where there are few visitors this time of year. She did her best, running to and fro, to scare off every bird in Washington County. There were plenty to satisfy her and me.

The first birds we saw on the water were these Common Mergansers.

As Penny raced up and down the paths and along the shoreline, the Mallards and mergansers just moved out a little further, while a couple of Canada Geese honked their displeasure, from a distance. The whole area is flooded all winter and spring (this a flood control dam) and only now is drying out. Dozens of Song Sparrows sang their hearts out and chased one another in the morning 40 degree temperatures.

You can’t see me here. A Song Sparrow watched us pass by.

There were many Swamp Sparrows singing their “sewing machine” song and I got wonderful looks at several. My fingers were numb from the temperatures and they keep moving, and are in the brush, so they made photography impossible. They are my 70th County bird.

Later in the day, we birded our property and the adjacent forest. One of the highlights was a pair of Brown Creepers working on our white pines. I heard them first and then laid on the forest floor to watch them (easier on the neck). We have a couple of pairs that seem to be in residence and it is always a treat to hear and see them.

I love Hermit Thrushes. They don’t seem to be vocalizing yet but we have a few that I hope are nesting here.

We came home to an array of birds in our backyard, both at the feeder and in surrounding trees. Here is a shot of a Dark-eyed Junco and a pair of Purple Finches on the same branch of our old apple tree.

The Song Sparrow to the right looks too red and the Dark-eyed Junco looks too light but it was just the afternoon lighting angle.

The Dark-eyed Junco to the left looks too light but it was just the afternoon lighting angle.

Here are the eBird reports from today.

Wrightsville Reservoir – East Montpelier (190 acres), Washington, US-VT
Apr 26, 2013 8:25 AM – 9:44 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Northern end by swimming area <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
17 species

Canada Goose 2
Mallard 6
Common Merganser 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee X
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X Numerous singing lustily
White-throated Sparrow 6
Red-winged Blackbird X
Purple Finch 2

Dick’s Backyard-woods, Washington, US-VT
Apr 26, 2013 3:00 PM – 4:28 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Dog walk – long <br />Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
13 species

Mourning Dove 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Song Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco X
Purple Finch 2

Posted in Backyard birds, Birding With Penny, eBird, Vermont Birding | 1 Comment

It’s 8 PM, Cue the Timberdoodle

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Richard

Early last evening, I went for a Woodcock Walk sponsored by the North Branch Nature Center. We were there to observe the aerial displays of the American Wood cock, and our leader, Larry, told us — “They’ll start about ten of eight so we can go over and visit the pond where all the Spring Peepers are first.” I must say I did not share his certainty but I also had never been on a walk like this before.

In true naturalist fashion, he introduced our small group to some caterpillars, a non-lightning bug, several types of spring ephemeral flowers, and hundreds of randy frogs. As one who tends to move too fast in the woods, it always amazes me at the sharp-eyed observation of people who notice insects, plants, as well as birds.

Woodcocks are usually very hard to spot on the ground. Our guy was right out in the open. Photo by aecole2010

We ambled up into the large field as it darkened and just about 8 PM, we heard the first “pent” call. The bird makes this call on the ground, and rotates between calls, to send it in different directions. We heard two males calling and waited to see if they would fly. They are normally well-hidden in the brush and grass but we noted a dark shape up ahead on the mowed path and through the binoculars, saw a Woodcock. About then, he took off, climbing crazily in a circular pattern above us, sending out a whistling/twittering call, until he was out of sight, and then came spiraling back down, landing right on the spot he started from. It reminded me of a slightly out-of-control model airplane with furious flapping wings, and a deft pilot at the controls. It killed by pinched nerve neck to watch but was worth it.

The other guy seemed to fly less but our Timberdoodle flew about every five minutes for about a half hour. It was getting very dark and we quit before he did.

It was a wonderful outing — and I learned that this goes on for weeks during the spring, even after the females have started nesting. We were really impressed with the display of our little flyer. I hope the females waiting in the wings were as well.

Posted in Bird Behavior, Birds, Local Birding, Vermont Birding | Tagged American Woodcock, North Branch Nature Center | Comments Off

Tweet of the Day from BBC Radio 4

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Richard

Sir David Attenborough will launch Tweet Of The Day on May 6th

Birdsong is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as part of a new series titled Tweet of the Day, which will air before the Today programme for the next year.

From 6 May, early risers will hear a different call or song from British bird species, followed by a story and facts about the tweet in question.

Sir David Attenborough will present every 90-second episode during May.

Other wildlife presenters including Miranda Krestovnikoff, Steve Backshall and Chris Packham will then take over.

Each episode will feature the song of a particular bird followed by insights into that bird’s behaviour and habits. The series will also tell the birds’ stories through science, social history, culture, literature and music, the station said.

Sir David Attenborough said: “I’ve seen some of the most incredible animals on my travels around the world, but Tweet Of The Day is a nice reminder of the teeming world of birds on my doorstep.”

There are 596 species on the official bird list in Britain and producers at the BBC Natural History Unit have trawled through more than 1,000 bird recordings in the BBC sound archive.

But the station must make new recordings of species like the nightingale, the greenfinch and the garden warbler because of gaps in its archive. There will be 265 instalments of Tweet of the Day.

Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams said: “I’m thrilled to have birds flying into the early morning schedule on Radio 4. David Attenborough, of course, will rule the roost.”

The series will be broadcast every weekday morning at 05.58 with a special tweet repeated on Sundays at 08.58. Every episode of Tweet Of The Day will be available to download.

Posted in bird calls, bird identification, bird song | Tagged BBC, bird song, British birds | Comments Off

Maryland Wrap-up

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Richard

As we watch snow squalls move through our backyard, it is nice to think back to earlier this week when I was birding in Maryland in temperatures in the 70’s. I took a look at the eBird data from my outings and realized that I logged 49 species — without really doing a lot of driving. Here’s the report:

It is interesting to note that the last bird I logged in Maryland, a Dark-eyed Junco, is a species that is over-running Vermont this week. As I look outside right now, I can see about 20 DEJU’s feeding on the deck and the lawn. Birders across Vermont have been reporting large gatherings of these northern birds that should be heading out any day.

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is likely the last time I’ll bird Anne Arundel County. I’ve met some neat people there and gotten a few life birds: Yellow-breasted Chat and Blue Grosbeak among the highlights. It’s a great place to bird — I’m glad to have had the opportunity to experience it. Good birding, y’all.

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Posted in Birding_trips, Maryland birding | Tagged Anne Arundel County | Comments Off

Bird Mentoring

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Richard

Having had a chance to bird with my grandson Dane last weekend, I was reminded once again about how rewarding it is to go out with kids on a bird watching outing. Regardless of how much or how little you know, there’s always something you can pass on. Those young eyes are sharp to catch movement but often, patience is required to let them get the bird in the binoculars.

One of the things I’m learning about youth birding is that attention spans are different with kids — in fact the leaders at a birding camp this summer interspersed many games with the kids which were as popular as the birding. Short outings, especially if the birding is spotty, work well. We learn as they learn.

A young birder releases a banded bird at the North Branch Nature Center. (photo by dickmfield)

A while back, I came upon this little article that I’ve been saving — but I can’t find the source. If you wrote it, let me know and I’ll give you the credit you deserve.

People who have been birdwatching for many years store an enormous amount of information in their heads – the kind of experiences and emotions you can’t learn from a book or website. To foster an appreciation for nature in new generations, it is essential that information be passed on.

Do you have years of birding experience? For the sake of the birds, become a mentor to an eager new birdwatcher; lead a tour; start a young naturalists club; give a talk. Looking at beautiful bird photos on the computer is one thing, but there is no substitution for a personal introduction to the magic of nature. Pass it along – the birds will thank you for it!

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Posted in Youth Birding | Tagged mentoring, youth birding | Comments Off

Birding Greenbury Point

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Richard

Each time I come to Maryland, I try to get over and bird the Navy’s Greenbury Point Conservation Area, an environmental treasure is located underneath the familiar radio towers you can see on the Annapolis skyline. Greenbury Point has lots of grassland, a variety of other habitats including wooded coves, shallow wetland ponds, forests and scrub/shrub areas. It is a wonderful 231 acre peninsula at the mouth of the Severn River and popular with birders, runners, dog walkers, while being a training ground for midshipmen. I went there yesterday morning for a few hours of leisurely birding in near-80 temperatures.

My FOY Chipping Sparrow greeted me as I walked in the access road.

As I was trying to find the CHSP in my camera lens, this Eastern Bluebird landed in a nearby tree, with nesting material in his beak.

A Field Sparrow was trilling away, partially hidden in some brush. I pished it and got it to climb a little higher.

There is a network of trails weaving throughout the property and as I started down the paved path which I’ve birded many times, a Carolina Chickadee sang away. I usually hear a lot of chip sounds but this was a clear morning song.

I saw numerous birds on the interior loops including a Marsh Wren, my first Eastern Towhee in several years, and a number of Rough-winged Swallows.

This American Goldfinch was singing away, high up on a bare tree, as I walked by.

As I approached the water, dozens of Ospreys circled and swooped. There are dozens of nesting platforms available and all seemed to be in use. Buffleheads, Scaup, gulls, terns, and cormorants made their appearance while a pair of grebes — I’m calling them Horned Grebes — dove and hid in the morning sun as I tried to photograph them.

This Carolina Wren watched me as I stopped to photograph it.

This is likely the last time I’ll bird in this area but I highly recommend it. It is free, easy to access, and full of neat grassland, woodland, and water birds. It’s a favorite of local birders and it’s easy to see why. I saw 35 species this morning and enjoyed the easy walking, the nice breeze, and the warmth. It is wonderful to see a former military site being conserved and used by such a diverse group of people.

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Posted in Maryland birding | Tagged Greenbury Point, Maryland birds | 4 Comments

Birding with Robb & Dane

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Richard

My son, grandson, and I went out to the National Wildlife Visitor Center at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge yesterday for a few hours of great birding in 60 degree temperatures. We saw 24 species including our FOY Eastern Bluebird and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

The bare trees made spotting birds easy. Here Dane (l) and Robb search for a house finch up ahead.

There were hundreds of Barn Swallows feeding and nesting. The air was full of them.

As we finished, a noisy Red-bellied Woodpecker greeted us.

Since my gang is leaving for California soon, this is probably the last East Coast outing with them. Next birding stop will be San Diego County which I’m looking forward to exploring with Dane.

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Posted in Maryland birding | 2 Comments

Ospreys at the Naval Academy

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Richard

I took another long hike yesterday morning down to the U.S. Naval Academy for some birding. It was interesting to remember that the many times I was here before, when our Marine son and family lived there, I was not a birder. So today, I walked some of the same routes I’ve taken in past years, past the grave of one my squadron commander (killed in North Vietnam) and by the apartments where the kids and their babies lived. It was a pretty morning but the wind was tough and the Severn River had whitecaps.

I encountered a nice mix of waterfowl (ducks, grebes, gulls, cormorants) and birds (tree sparrows, starlings, mockingbirds, cardinals) as I made my way around the perimeter of the academy grounds. Lots of young runners, older walkers, and patrolling campus security on a nice Maryland Sunday morning.)

As I neared the end of the walk on the southern edge, adjacent to Annapolis Harbor, I heard a gull crying overhead. I’d seen a Greater Black-backed, a few Herring, and several Ring-billed gulls but couldn’t spot this one, which seemed right overhead. I walked further and it was behind me — then I spotted the Osprey nest on a tall light tower and a juvenile begging for food.

This noisy juvenile was waiting for his parents. It looks like an owl decoy on the platform as well — not working too well.

One of the parents came back with a fish — not this one.

And the other parent just hovered over the scene in the stiff breeze, giving me some great looks.

I did not attend the academy but through Robb and Mary’s work there, have come to appreciate it as a lovely, historic campus adjacent a neat little city. As I expected, it’s a pretty decent birding site as well. Hope to get back before we leave.

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Posted in Vermont Birding | Comments Off

Urban Birding in Annapolis

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Richard

We are down in Maryland for a short trip to see our son Robb and his family before they leave for San Diego. The temps are about 20 degrees warmer than Vermont, the forsythia is blooming as are the cherry blossoms, and there are all sorts of birds singing their hearts out. What’s not to like?

I had just unloaded our luggage and went out to the back door where two Fish Crows welcomed me (FOY) as well as a House Finch and several Cardinals. It was a foretaste of the local birding — a good sign.

I’ve taken a couple of long walks with the camera to get some exercise and some camera practice. Here are a few shots with the SX-50 from those outings:

Northern Mockingbirds, while pretty rare in our county, are all over the place — showing off their repertoire of songs and calls — delightful to listen to and to observe.

Perhaps the most common song is from the Song Sparrow. They are everywhere and delightful.

Just as common are House Sparrows which seem to monopolize the area bird houses. Since they are relatively sparse up my way, they are fun to watch.

Northern Cardinals are also everywhere, singing away. A morning walk is just filled with Cardinal music.

Annapolis harbor was filled with boats and Mallards which are well fed by visitors. The charter sailboat was readying for a brisk Saturday morning excursion.

It was nice to see some Lesser Scaup and Bufflehead — and hope we’ll be getting them in VT in a few weeks.

This Turkey Vulture with his buddies, was working the open Dumpster after the Navy/Maryland lacrosse game. Good pickin’s!

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Posted in Maryland birding, Photography | Comments Off

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