Green Heron & Wood Ducklings- Millbury

I went over to the Millbury Bike Path for about two hours or so after work and decided to stay in one area which turned out to be well worth it. I was looking at some Mallards sunning themselves on a log when suddenly a bird flew past me an onto the shore near the edge of the river. This Green Heron decided to make a quick stop for dinner and I was thrilled to have caught it.

This was the first time I was able to really observe a Green Heron and they are absolutely fascinating birds to watch while they hunt for food. The bird stalks its prey the way a cat would and then delivers a final blow to the unsuspecting fish and this little heron never missed. It stayed in the area for about 20 minutes until it left via some tall grass and into some trees. I stuck around for a while after that seeing if it would return again and also hoping I could find a mate but no deal.

This same area brought me my first sighting of a mother Wood Duck with her ducklings. So cute!! This time of the year is so much fun for birding because of all of the young I see on an almost daily basis. Who said June birding was boring!

The muskrat who lives around that area was busy too carrying leaves to its den I am assuming.

Speaking of young, here is a recently fledged House Sparrow which is the predominant bird in downtown Worcester.

I don't like these birds in my yard but will watch them when at work when I need to get away to clear my head. I can always guarantee there will be House Sparrows and House Finches whenever I venture outside for coffee.

And a lousy shot of one of the young Peregrines. I had lunch today with the woman who tracks them and we went to the window where the young will start to go to in the next few days. We were hoping today would be the day and we both had our cameras in tow, but the youngins wanted to part of it. You should see all of the skeletal remains and feathers that are out on that ledge though!!! The ledge itself is a lot wider than I first thought and it is covered with good sized rocks which makes the surface great for the young Peregrines when they first start walking. I am hoping they get out there at some point this week and I will be able to get over there for pictures.

Take care everyone.