Rusty Blackbirds in Grafton and other stuff

I had to work in Boston today and decided to make a quick stop at St Philips in Grafton as it is on the way to the train station. I would get out of the car and hear the usual birds including the very vocal various blackbirds like the Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds, but then I heard a call coming from that immediate area that sounded different to me so I immediately zoned into it and was thrilled to hear that of a Rusty Blackbird. I would listen intently for a moment as I have never really heard a Rusty sing before, but have heard it through one of my birding field guide CD's and have been able to pick up on it fairly well because it is an easy one to remember. The field guide says it sounds like a squeeky door, but I prefer it to the sound of a bird saying candy and that's exactly what this bird was saying so off I went to try and find it.
I would use my ears as my guide while I put my binoculars on the various blackbirds. There were now a couple of them singing their song so it made it easier for me as I came to a tree where I would see five birds in another part of the tree and somewhat separate from the Red-winged Blackbirds. I was at a compete disadvantage due to lack of daylight still and the fact that they were perched high up in the trees, but wanted to get some pictures as record shots.

Now of course the funny thing would be that I was dressed in my "smart clothes" as I call them as I was headed to Boston for the day so try and dress up some so here I was in my freshly pressed Ann Taylor trousers that are beige by the way and I was now in the bushes directly underneath the blackbirds in an attempt to get a better angle of them so I could document that pale iris of theres. Finally the misses (I believe) above was kind enough to pose for a moment as I got my first picture of her that would show all of the classic field marks.
And then finally a male would grant me the same honors. A very cool bird to get and one I never thought would be as easy as it was because looking for different blackbirds out of flocks really intimidates me because it can be so overwhelming, but this small flock here made it very easy with their singing. Once again folks, learn those bird songs! If I didn't know that call, I would have most likely over looked them as I was stretched for time to get to Boston.
As I would leave I would also hear the song of a Savannah Sparrow in some shrubs so I pished it out and it posed momentarily for a photo.
I decided to get to Boston a little earlier than normal because I wanted to see if there were any interesting migrators overnight at Post Office Square. I would only have about 10 minutes or so and couldn't do a thorough job and the only birds of note would be the very many White-throated Sparrows that seemed to all be in one concentrated area (I would count 10 in total). Thought this photo was interesting in that I had never noticed yellow flanks on a white throat before so figured I would share the picture.
I would end the day at South Station and had a few minutes before the train so decided to wait outside and just look up at the gulls as there were not only the usual Ring-billed Gulls flying overhead today, but the Herring Gulls as well and being the total dork that I am, I figured it would be fun to distinguish between the two different species while waiting for my train :-p.

Anyhow, I didn't want to appear to be a total dork so would only have my camera and binoculars would be in my bag but then I would see a gull mixed in with the others that caught my eye and I would kick myself for not having the bins handy. I turn my camera on and manage one shot and then off it flies past a tall building that would block my view. I came home, blew the photo up on my screen and this is what I would see. Now obviously the first thing you will most likely notice which was the 1st thing I noticed was the lack of any prominent black wing tips that always sets off a red flag to me. It was smaller than a Herring Gull (at least to my naked eye) and the shape of the head is round like a Ring-billed Gulls so I decide to look in my various field guides for pictures of Iceland Gulls. I am not liking what I see when I compare it to my photo because the gull in the photo above appears to have too much charcoaly gray in the leading edge of its wings but that may be due to my picture and lighting. The tail looks a little too dark for me (and according to Sibley, page 184, the juvenile Iceland "always lacks contrasting markings", which is what I believe I see here), so am not really sure what I have and it doesn't help matters much that I can't see the color of the legs or even the bill for that matter. I have spent the past two hours since I got home pouring over my field guides and still don't have an answer I am comfortable with. It's times like these where I wonder why I didn't pick up an easier hobby like knitting or checkers or something like that as birding still continues to be tough for me at times. Any ideas?y Don't worry, I won't be embarassed if you tell me it's a Ring-billed or Herring Gull, I will just wonder why I didn't see any black wingtips that's all! ;-)

Edited to Add: On hour number three of checking out this bird and decided to blow it up more and can see the dark upperside of the bird. Now thinking this is a very funky looking Ring-billed Gull that is not showing its wingtips that well due to the position of the sun. Officially stopping now as it was driving me crazy but figured I would keep the photo and my ramblings above just so you can see how challenging birds can be with certain lighting conditions. I could be wrong again obviously and will most likely spend another two hours tomorrow morning pouring over other field guides. ;-)

Take care all.

Monk Parakeets-East Boston & Misc

I decided to join Alan today in his quest for the Monk Parakeets in East Boston today as it would be a life bird for the both of us and plus also thought it would be nice to "twitch" for a bird outside of Worcester County which is something I hadn't done since the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Orange last year. When we arrived the skies would be gray as a cold rain somewhat dampened our spirits but not for long as we would soon find the nest and it wasn't exactly hard to miss.
As you can see in the picture above. The parakeet would be inside of the nest tidying up so we assumed at first it was done with the nest building process but we would soon find out we were mistaken.
As it would loudly announce its departure with a very loud "chape yee" call that would echo through the park as this fairly good sized and colorful bird would make its way to the willow tree for more material.
Where I stood waiting as we had picked up on its behavioral pattern and I wanted a picture of it during its nest building process.
And a close up of this magnificent bird.
It would grab a few twigs and then fly back to the nest to add to its already enormous size. The funny thing was that there would be a few folks walking in the park and except for one guy, no once noticed or paid much attention to the bird. Now I know most people are not into birding and we are a special bunch, but a bird as obvious as a parakeet and not being noticed totally blows me away seriously. Heck, even a non birder should notice a bird as big and colorful as this one, wouldn't you think?? :-p
There would be a few other birds around including two Northern Mockingbirds who would be directly across the street. I couldn't help but wonder if they live nearby the parakeets and whether or not one of them will add the call of the Monk Parakeet to their song vocabulary. If so, I would love to hear it as the call of the parakeet is unique to say the least!
After that we decided to try our luck at the SuAsCo Reservoir in Westborough for the reported Caspian Tern, knowing very well it would not be there, but it would be the perfect excuse to go back to what has become one of my favorite places to bird lately. There are some really thick and birdy shrubs at the beginning on one of the trails that I wanted to show Alan as he had never been here before and low and behold we could hear some noise coming from deep within the shrubs so we did some pishing and who would come out and immediately belt into song, but the Brown Thrasher I met for the 1st time last week.
The sun would peek out briefly which would allow me my first halfway decent photo of the thrasher this year.
I would also show Alan the area where there are normally quite a few warblers and a place where I got my best look at a Yellow-throated Vireo last year, but the only thing we would see would be the regular backyard birds including this very busy Black-capped Chickadee who appears to be in the ending stages of some serious nest building. Does anyone see a pattern here!
As we were leaving I could hear a call above that sounded somewhat familiar to me as I had heard it for the 1st time recently and it would be that of an Osprey so we watched it for a while. It would never get real close and was at a distance I am used to seeing them at while hawkwatching, but they would do something that I had never really noticed before until now, which is change their body in flight and what that would do was totally reshape the body and how the bird would look in your binoculars. What was so cool about it is I could clearly see in through my optics and was taken aback at how different a raptor can look by doing something as simple as adjusting a wing or bringing them forward as if to glide. Geeky I know, but hey, I'm a geek! ;-)
I would end the day with a nice long walk in the woods near my home after I went home for lunch. Wouldn't you know the sky appears to be opening up some and it would chose to do so on a Sunday evening after my weekend would be over with!

Take care all

A Day in Boston

I had to work in Boston today so decided to head to Rowes Wharf to do some birding as I haven't been there since I got the Lesser Black-backed Gull last winter. I wasn't planning on seeing that bird obviously as it has long since gone, but I have gotten lucky there at times and the weather was so nice I figured why not.
I should have known I was doomed as the first bird I saw would be this Rock Pigeon above doing the dead man's float. The day was so nice there were tourists everywhere with cameras because it's right near the aquarium and they are all taking pictures of scenic boats and land mark buildings and there is the freak Kim taking picture of dead pigeons. HA! ;-)
And of course the House Sparrows who know a good deal when they see it as people not only like to take pictures around the wharf but eat too and with food comes crumbs and these guys are more than willing to do their part to control litter in any way they can.
And my favorite Rowes Wharf bird the Ring-billed Gulls. Check out how handsome this one is in his breeding plumage.
Here he is giving me the classic "hairy eyeball".
And a photo I thought was cool as he was right near the water with the Marriott I believe in the background. I think these gulls are much better looking near the ocean vs. the parking lot and he was a definite ham for the camera.
The highlight of my time there would be hits of spring where ever I went. With shades of purple
And pink azaleas
Just starting to bloom
And more signs of spring which were indeed welcome after the long period of rain we had.

Very eager to get out there this weekend to bird and just get outside. Friday at 5 can't come soon enough for me.

Take care all.

A Day in Boston-Two Lifers

I took the train into Boston for work today and was kind of excited with all of the recent bird sightings right in the area where I work. My excitement didn't last long when I looked out the window early this morning and saw pouring rain hitting my window. I took the train in staring out the window at gray skies and ponds as that's what I do every time I go into Boston because birding via train can actually yield pretty good results sometimes.

Glass building at Post Office Square

By the time I arrived at South Station the rain was gone and the sun decided to shine and I was hopeful the Yellow-breasted Chat would decide to grace me with its presence.
The wind blew strong as I checked out every nook and cranny at Post Office Square. After spending about 5 minutes there I gave up and headed toward my office.
And resigned myself to the fact that the only birds I would see this morning was the Heron above.

And a very nice Bald Eagle that was just begging for a photo.

During our coffee break, my co-worker did a quick stop Fanuel Hall to see if we could spot the Barred Owl. We couldn't see the owl but spoke to some of the local vendors there who had the 411 on this bird as they are there all the time. They looked at me with pride as they explained what time the owl usually arrives and what time it leaves. One also took pride in the fact that she spotted it for the first time due to the fact that she saw pigeon guts falling from the tree in large chunks which caused her to look up to see where the spillage was coming from and there was the owl staring at her. How cool is that! Another vendor told me to head to Rowes Wharf as he had seen the Barred Owl there a couple of times so I decided to head off there during my lunch hour.
As soon as I arrived I could see a Ring-billed Gull, a Herring Gull and then another Gull that instantly stood out to me so I zoned in on him. For one split second I thought a rather dark Herring Gull, but my gut told me no so I then decided Greater Black-backed Gull but again something didn't feel right.
Look at it one more time and excitement starts as I realize it is a Lesser Black-backed Gull. I so wanted to be certain on this so poured over my guide on the train ride back home and then sent the picture to two other birders to have them confirm. Life bird for me so I'm very happy right now.
And a Mallard I saw there too that I thought came out half way decent so I just had to share!
After Rowes Wharf I ran to Post Office Square as I only had an hour. I really didn't think I would see the Yellow-breasted Chat due to the wind, but decided to head there anyway to see if the Barred Owl could be found. I did some looking around and met up with a fellow birder so we decided to look for the bird together. Suddenly my eye goes to an area with brush, trees and fencing and I can see a lot of yellow so I zone in on it. The yellow screams chat to me but I am taken aback at how large the bird is compared to a warbler and uncertainty sets it. I excitedly direct the birder to its location as I try and get a better look at it.
There are a couple of people on a bench watching the whole scenario wondering who the crazy broad is with the camera as I sheepishly explain to them that there is a very special bird right behind their shoulder. They don't look at all impressed but they were kind enough to move to another location for us! Yes, I do admit to getting carried away at times but seriously, wouldn't you?
I never was able to get the killer shots I wanted as the wind would prove to be too strong for this bird for long-term perching but was happy just the same to see it.
After looking at the bird for a bit, it was off to work again. I walked back with a little more spring in my step as I was very happy to get not only one, but two life birds on my lunch hour. Will be going into Boston weekly for the next 2 months and suddenly it doesn't seem half bad to me. ;-)
My co-worker and I headed out one last time to scout for the owl as I wanted to bring my team out to see if but wanted to make sure it was there first. We never did see that particular owl, but I did see this one at Crate & Barrel!
After all of that intense birding I needed energy so we headed to Godiva for a fuel stop.
I decided to get myself a dark chocolate truffle and one of those nifty strawberry-banana kabobs you see above. All in all it was a fabulous day. Who knew city birding could be so exciting! Special thanks to Matt for all of the info you shared with me. Take care all!

Two out of Three Aint Bad-Victory Gardens Boston

Alan and I headed out to the Victory Gardens in Boston this morning in hopes of getting the MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Orange-crowned Warbler that has been reported via MassBird by many birders in the state.

We decided to take the Green Line from Riverside to the Hynes Convention Center stop instead of dealing with traffic that Boston is always congested with. We made our way through Newton as memories filled my head of visions of my college days when a dozen or so of my fellow classmates would take the T from Newton where I attended college to Boston dressed in jeans and backpacks just as I was today. The contents were a little different though as I had my camera, binoculars, Cliff Bars, Bottled Water and my Sibley's Guide stowed away today vs. the bottles of Ruinite (known then as "Ruin Your Nightie" as one of us would always get sick from it) and we would hide it in our packs in order to ensure safe travel to our destination for the evening which was usually a party at Northeastern as they were always the most fun. While the circumstances had changed since then, I still had that feeling of anticipation in hopes of seeing the MacGillivray's Warbler vs hopes of seeing Nick or John or whoever I had a crush on that particular week. My how times have changed as the only man on my mind at that point was Mac!
Anyhow we made our way through traffic and people toward an oasis smack in the middle of a busy Kenmore. The fierce wind blew strong and the skies were gray but even the depressing weather couldn't take away from the beauty of the garden that still held a certain charm despite the fact that most of the flowers had already bloomed and all that was left were seed heads that still reminded you of the beauty they once held, a beauty you would see again, just not today.

The birds were hidden as most didn't want to battle the wind but that didn't stop the Northern Mockingbird above from perching high in a tree defending its territory which was quite the set up complete with abundant food, fresh water and even lounge furniture should he choose to entertain.
He looked at us defiantly as the fierce wind blew amongst his gray feathers letting us know this was his domain and while we could look, we could not enter.
We made our way through dirt packed rows trying to use our ears and eyes to search for signs of life which was rather difficult considering the harsh winds and overgrown brush that seemed to be everywhere we turned in this 4 acre garden. The nests that were full of life this past summer were finally revealed as the leaves had fallen and the fledglings had flown but the nests remained as a secret no more.
Of course not all of the birds sought shelter from the wind including two Red-tailed Hawks that seemed to delight in it. All throughout the garden we could hear their constant cheeeeeerrrrr as they flew by using the powerful force of the wind to guide them instead of the labor of their wings.
And not all of the flowers were corpses as some still held their beauty on this cold November day.
The sun would tease us occasionally as we had met up with other birders who were there for the same purpose. Various chip notes were heard throughout the garden as we searched for any sign of avian life including this Song Sparrow above who was hunkered down in a shrub in an attempt to escape the wind.

There seemed to be one area of the gardens that was the most active at times which were rows X and Y. Alan and I had met up with two other birders from Rhode Island and we were all in various places of this small section of earth as we had heard a different kind of chip note coming from it. I put my eyes on the tree above and see movement so I motion to the others to get their eyes on the tree.
Soon enough a warbler pops out and perches for one brief second on a branch before it dashes for cover from the wind. While this is not a good shot as you can obviously see, it was the only picture I would get of this bird today and the bird is the Orange-crowned Warbler. The weather would be too much for the bird the rest of the day and it remained out of view for us. Soon enough we heard more chip notes and I saw a colorful warbler fly by and make its way into some deep brush. The bird turns out to the the MacGillivray's Warbler and Alan manages to get a really good view but all I get is a butt shot as I was in a different section at the time. Determined to get a better view and at least a record shot, we keep going and are happy to know that it's at least in the area.
We continue to walk row to row as the Mockingbird continues to defend and the Hawks continue to play. One can't help the surreal feeling at this point as you are in the middle of this avian play land and over your shoulder is the Prudential Building to remind you that you are indeed in Boston and not the country side.
Soon enough a fellow birder motions us to row M as he had just seen the MacGillivray's. We eagerly scan the area and are soon rewarded with its chip call as we train our ears to pinpoint the location. Finally I see it fly by and am dismayed to get yet again another butt shot. Soon enough it decides to cut me a break as I see it land near a fence post low on the ground. I put my binoculars on the bird as it stares back in return as my heart skips a beat and I cannot breathe. The bird is more colorful than I thought it would be and it's eyes so pretty. I snap back to reality to try and describe the location to others so they can see it too. Finally Alan and the other two birders see it and happiness sets in as I'm only happy when both I and everyone else I am with sees a special bird as they are far too precious not to share.
The bird continues to play follow the leader with us with him being the leader as we quietly make our way through dirt paths. He decides to delight us by landing on a wooden bench and stares at us as if to say "what is it with you beings and why can't I ever get any privacy, haven't you ever seen a bird before". We pay no attention to this as we gawk at him as he flies away one more time into lower brush
The wind is too much for him so he decides to go low and slow which allows me to finally get some unobstructed views of the bird as well as a half way decent photo.
He flies from area to area and we follow. We stare at the bird and he stares back in return as he makes his way lower to the ground.
A very special bird indeed and one I hope decides to head further south soon before the really harsh weather sets in. One can certainly hope.
And finally a flower I was attracted to the moment I saw it that goes by the name Love Lies Bleeding. Very fitting name indeed for this flower which is known for it's heartiness. Take care all