Early this morning on a dog walk/birding outing, I came across this merganser family out for a cruise. For once, the dog was not moving, the sun was behind me, and there was no foliage in the way. I count ten or eleven youngsters – including the two getting a ride.
New migrants are arriving daily and the trees are just budding — it’s a great time to get out an check things out. Here are a few recent sightings.
Eastern Kingbirds showed up last week, as did Common Loons.
And I’m still sorting out sandpipers — this one, which I saw just up from the house, I’m calling a Solitary Sandpiper, not a Spotted.
Warblers are here but their movement and the dog’s leash make them difficult to photograph. But all the Yellow Warblers and American Goldfinches add lollipops of color to enjoy.
After a wonderful trip to Spain with a stopover in Lisbon, we are back in Vermont at the start of stick season. The leaves are gone and many of the birds but many of our favorites are around. Here are some:
The cooler temperatures remind me of what’s ahead but also makes me think of Snowy Owls and the redpolls, crossbills, and waxwings that may show up. Good birding.
I have combined dog walks and birding for years and here are a few shots from recent outings. Here’s my companion, resting halfway through a three mile hike.
A few minutes earlier we had encountered several Northern Flickers.
Most of the woodlands birds aren’t singing now so you have to spot them. This Veery was very accommodating.
Walking along the river, I’m seeing the Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfishers nearly every day. Here are a Wood Duck, a Green Heron, and a Common Merganser.
It’s been a good birding summer and we look forward to fall walks — with fewer birds but also, fewer bugs.
We are fortunate to have a nice birdwatching venue behind our house, located less than a mile from the center of the city. Here are a few visitors in the last week or two:
Our path to the river is still pretty muddy since the flood but this Gray Catbird is enjoying the lawn chair which survived the disaster.
The dead trees across the river are favorite perches for crows, kingbirds, and the occasional hawk or eagle. This Osprey, while not unusual to the area, is one of the first I’ve seen out back.
Checking eBird just now, I find that I’ve submitted 950 checklists and observed 136 species at this backyard patch. Nice spot for a birder to live.
After yesterday’s encounter with the Great Egret, I vowed to carry my camera every jaunt. Here are a few shots from this morning, when mosquitos seem to outnumber birds.
One of today’s objectives was to relearn how to blog and handle photos on my iPad in preparation for traveling without the laptop. The last time was from Spain in 2021. We’re planning to head back in six weeks.
Just up the street from our house, there’s a little bridge that I cross nearly every day on walks with Ginger. Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of wildlife on the river from it – here are a few from the last few days.
This morning, I spotted these mergansers just as they saw me, and after a warning command, they turned and cruised easily back upstream.
Several days ago, I encountered this Snapping Turtle laying eggs beside the bridge.
The next morning I saw this family cruising downstream to the bridge, watching me warily.
Returning about ten minutes later, I saw momma turtle just down from where the geese had entered.
It’s all part of nature but I am hoping the goslings made it ok.
Yesterday I came upon a dozen or more Wild Turkeys and just like last year’s post in mid-April — the guys were displaying — the hens were in a “get lost, Buster” mood.
I want to share some shots of winter birds and other items we’ve seen on our daily outings. I’ll start with a quiet and beautiful spot we found the other day.
In the neighborhood, there’s a nice variety of birds – yesterday there was a Northern Cardinal, a Carolina Wren, and a Tufted Titmouse singing away on a section of one street.
This guy was pretty quiet.
Whenever there’s open water, there’s often a merganser or two.
American Crows are out and about every day.
Most of our recent storms have had snow perfect for many outdoor activities.
As we get ready to “Spring Forward” this weekend it’s fun to think about the array of birds getting ready to head northward.
In spite of wintry weather in December, our visiting Great Blue Heron hung in there until mid-month. Here are the last photos I got before it departed just before Christmas.
