City Birding

It would be another early start this morning as I'd head out with Alan to the local Price Chopper to get the Fish Crow Alan had a couple days prior.  We'd get there before the birds arrived while the city slept and all would be quiet except for local Route 20 traffic and the heavenly scent of freshly made donuts that seemed to be beckoning to me from the Price Chopper bakery, I may be mistaken but I believe I smelled a Chocolate-covered and pictured how great it would be with a cup of coffee to warm my fingers as there was that now familiar November chill in the air.

The sleepy city would soon come alive with commuters heading to work and the sounds of American Crows announcing their arrival -some would fly past, others landed in trees across the street and about a dozen or so would land in the Price Chopper Parking lot for a little carb intensive breakfast of white bread.  How it got there I have no idea really I don't!

It wouldn't take too long to spot the Fish Crow mixed in with the Ring-billed Gulls and American Crows as I'd hear its call shortly before hand and it would do us the honors of landing close by for my customary yearly photo and in the same general area no less!  The Fish Crow is the one in the center.

Not the best pictures obviously but it shows the size difference between the Fish Crow and the American's.

Also notice the purplish, blue glossy plumage the Fish Crows have.  American Crow's have it too but not as extensive and evident as the Fish Crow.  So happy this bird is fond of tradition as it makes for an easy FOY every year around this time and at the same exact place!

After that it would be off to Flint Pond in Shrewsbury hoping for some early Common Redpolls and this is a reliable place on good Redpoll years like the one we're having now.  Unfortunately it's still a tad too early so will continue to check periodically considering it's so close to home.

The next stop would be the Worcester Airport hoping the Snow Buntings had arrived.  We'd make our way up Airport Drive paying careful attention to the many crab apple trees for some Waxwings with Bohemian in particular but all would be quiet except for some American Robin's and European Starlings.

We'd see no Snow Buntings in the parking lot but did see this small flock of Horned Lark's who'd land periodically before heading to grass in areas we can't see which is probably where the Snow Bunting's are at this point as what incentive do they have to be in the parking lot yet with no snow!

Since we were in area we headed to Notre Dame Cemetery to see what was around for dabbling ducks.  Nothing new but the numbers of both American Black Ducks and Hooded Mergansers have increased since there last and the highlight of the stop would be this Osprey above.

The next stop would be All Faith's Cemetery and the only new ducks we'd pick up here were some American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal.  Of course we'd check the stump dump for sparrows as I still need a Worcester County American Tree Sparrow and I'd strike out again, but the Fox Sparrow above somewhat made up for it!  So funny to watch how it behaved in a tree vs. the ground and this would be a first for me.

We'd be driving back closer to home and do what we often do while driving and that is discuss birds of course.  It's now getting to that time of the year when one does a mental inventory of what birds one still needs for the year which would bring us to the topic of owls and how now was the time to get strategic in getting them considering I'm armed with my forecast! ;-)  We'd get to discussing Screech-owls and Alan would fondly remember the easy one he had reliably one year that wasn't too far away so we headed there so he could show me the exact location in case I ever wanted to try for it on my own.

When we arrived I was struck by how odd a Screech-owl would find a Wood Duck nest box  with it being smack dab in the middle of water.  We'd look at all of the next boxes and then I'd get to the final one where I'd see something inside of it that looked like a dirty, gray giant sock or some newspaper as clearly it couldn't be an Eastern Screech-owl out in the open like that in broad day light!

I'd get my bins on it and be thrilled that yes indeed it was an Eastern Screech-owl!  Alan would back his truck up some as the car was on a busy road and he'd also get his scope out too for better views of the owl.

He'd get some of his own photos and then I'd get a look and this is what would be staring at me.  The bird would be so cute my knees would buckle some so I'd compose myself and look again trying to suppress a giggle because the goofy owl would be sound asleep!

Swoon!  I should also note that while I've had this bird in Worcester County before it's always been by ear so wasn't prepared for my reaction once I saw the bird in broad daylight.  I just love owls!

Best picture of them all above is the one Alan took through his camera and scope.  Swoon!


I'd get home early promising myself I'd get some stuff done around the house before the work week starts but find that's easier said than done now that I have my feeders up and the usuals would be out in full force.  I don't know what it is about my yard birds, but I think it has to do with my appreciation for them as it is they who got me into birding in the first place, but the Chickadees always get my full attention compared to the brief glances out in the field (not as much this year as one could be a Boreal!)

The Carolina Wren would be out enjoying the day and some lunch.

My beloved Fox Sparrow hasn't left yet and whenever its around, I stop all chores and just watch in an attempt to forever imprint its behavior in my mind.

And the Downy Woodpecker has finally found the suet after I moved the cage closer to some trees for added security which would be another bonus.

All in all a perfect ending to the week and just chill after a very busy weekend!

Take care all.

Forbush Bird Club: Salisbury Beach & Vicinity-Lots of White-winged Crossbills and other Goodies!

I'd head out with Alan today to attend the Fobush Bird Club trip to Salisbury Beach which would be led by Dan and it wouldn't take long for us to realize who the birds of the day would be as flocks of White-winged Crossbills flew overhead.

There'd be flocks on signposts.

Flocks in the sky

Flocks in pine trees

And flocks of birders from all over looking at the flocks of crossbills which seemed to be in every tree around.

And as you can see these active little birds are not at all shy and from what I understand so tame, they even landed on people according to the Massbird Post I read!

On  the ground and flying around!

I can't help to think that mother nature was feeling very creative the day she created crossbills.

The flocks of birds would be so impressive it will be something forever imprinted in my mind and I wish them well on their journey in search for food and shelter.

It wouldn't be just the birds creating an exciting energy around Salisbury this morning but the birders as well who'd be everywhere taking in the crossbill show as well as a reported Black-headed Gull seen near the parking lot to the bathroom so off we went in hopes of seeing it again as we struck out last time and we'd strike out on it again, but were happy to see the Sanderling's, scoters and Red-throated Loons nearby.

Great Black-backed Gull near the bathrooms with its leg tucked in!

After that it would be a quick trip to Joppa Flats to use the facilities and scan the waters.  You so know I couldn't resist buying this Black-capped Chickadee for my niece. This adorable little bird even sings its Phee Bee song when you squeeze it!  So cute!

After that it would be off to Plum Island with Gate One being the first stop.  Birds would be everywhere including the Black-bellied Plovers above.

And this Herring Gull who is still as handsome as ever even in non-breeding plumage   We'd also see many sea ducks including Black and White-winged Scoter and get better looks at them than we ever do at the Wachusett Reservoir.  We'd also get some nice looks at Common Eider and the many Red-throated Loons who'd be fairly close to shore for some killer looks that I haven't been lucky enough to get this year.

Forbush trip members looking at the MANY birds in the water.

And not only would we get the Black-bellied Plover here but an American Golden Plover as well who'd be right on the beach which was crazy to see considering this is generally out of their habitat.

Another bonus would be the American Bittern above.

As well as many dabbling ducks like the Northern Pintails and a life bird for me the Eurasian Wigeon who'd be breath taking with it's buffy forehead and dark rufous head.  There'd also be many American Black Ducks and a nice scope view of some Gadwall's.

A stop at the warden's station would be rewarded with some very nice looks at the Red-tailed Hawk above who'd be flying rather low "Harrier style", before landing on a roof to pose for the camera!

I don't get pictures like this anymore that often due to the problems I still have with my camera when it was broken and fixed so this was very much appreciated!

But the buteo of the day hands down would be this stunning Rough-legged Hawk who would fly directly above our heads for nice views and pictures.  This would be the best look I've ever gotten of this bird flying overhead and would actually make me a tad dizzy upon seeing it!

Our last stop would be Cherry Hill Reservoir in Newbury in search for more ducks.

We'd be greeted by the many Ruddy Ducks as well as Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, Bufflehead and a lone Pied-billed Grebe.  The sun would already be receding beyond the horizon which reminded us all that despite the temperatures it was indeed November and time to head back home.  On the drive back, I'd re play the day in my mind and realize how much I enjoy going to birding hotspots away from Worcester County occasionally as the energy is contagious.  I'm not one who likes crowds much but there's something about a crowd of birders that  makes me happy.  I believe it's because they feel the same joy as I do when they see a bird so we all share a certain kinship that most in society aren't blessed to realize and we were certainly blessed today.

Take care all.

Loafing Around on a Saturday

I decided to head to Wachusett Meadow's today in hopes for some Evening Grosbeaks as I've seen reports of them there the past week so was hoping I'd get lucky so off I went.

Bird activity would be light at the feeders with no grosbeaks in sight but my eye was drawn to a Blue Jay near the feeder who I watched wondering what it would do next.

Which would be to attempt to get it's big honkin body on the dainty feeder for a little breakfast!!  Seeing this would make me wonder if the Blue Jay's at home found the peanuts I put out for it before I left.

I'd make my way to the Chapman Trail to do the hike to Wachusett and back and be happy to see a nice Fox Sparrow which would make me wonder if the Fox Sparrow in my yard I saw yesterday was still around and discovered all the wild bird seed I put out for it once I realized it was there and ran to the grocery store to find food more to its liking.

I'd finally make it to Chapman and would hear a bird call that sounded very much like a Bohemian Waxwing so stopped to figure out where it was coming from figuring it wasn't out the question as I'd had Cedar Waxwings just a few short minutes before hand.  Of course the calling would stop and after waiting for a bit I'd hear it again coming closer to the Glacial Trail so off I went to investigate! The bird would go silent at this point and I'd see no bird activity what so ever so make my way back down the trail which was slippery and I'd take a nice spill right then and there.  Suddenly thoughts of my hike to Wachusett didn't sound wise and I'd kick myself for not thinking before hand and bring either my microspikes or trek poles as if I was slipping here, I can only imagine what I'd be doing once I hit the rocky part of the Harrington Trail near the summit.   It would also be here that I'd realize my heart was never in the hike as my mind kept going back to my yard and the birds that were in it.  I'd make a quick U-turn back to my car with thoughts of baking bread and watching birds taking hold which added a little more spring to my step.

And the birds would be there to greet me once I made it including one of the few Pine Siskins feeding from the tree stump I put seed on.

And the many Song Sparrows who live across the street but come here for an easy meal.

And the few Northern Cardinals including the ones who nested somewhere around my yard this past season who are always around due to their obsession with the Yew Berries I have growing in my yard that are as red as they are.

And of course the American Goldfinch's who still look as handsome as ever.

As you can see in the photo above.

The White-throated Sparrow's would be out in full force as well and gobbling up the wild bird seed I put out earlier in the day.

As well as the always numerous Dark-eyed Juncos who'd be giving me their seal of approval over the new platform feeder I have that I kept close to the ground.

One of the four Mourning Doves who spend their time in my nearby tree when they're not eating the spilled seed.

Oh and the Blue Jay's did indeed find my gift of peanuts as well as the large striped sunflower seeds I buy just for them!

The Mrs enjoying a little lunch.

And of course what back yard feeding station doesn't have the regulars like the Black-capped Chickadees' and the Tufted Titmouse above.  One weird thing since I filled my feeders last Saturday are no Downy Woodpeckers so I moved my suet cage closer.  I have the real suet too but haven't put any out yet from the freezer  as I don't do it until it gets cold enough for it to not spoil so hoping that will draw them to the feeders more.

The White-breasted Nuthatch above and Carolina Wrens appreciate the store suet though!

And the many House Finch's who flock to this feeder every year I put it up which is a PITA to clean with it being wood but do so every month to prevent disease, especially when you have finch's coming to your feeder.

And I saved the best for last.  Not only a FOY but a new yard bird for me this very handsome Fox Sparrow above.  I'ts been in my yard off and on all day and I believe when it's not eating- it's in my blackberry brambles.  Fascinating bird to watch as they are a lot more sluggish than the white-throats.  Also funny to see it scratching in the leaf litter as they do it with a lot more gusto than any other sparrow I've ever seen!  The other interesting thing I'd notice is it's not only skittish of me, but the other birds as well and will only come out to eat when it's not as crowded with other birds.  I'm totally loving feeding the birds this year with this handsome devil and the Pine Siskins who've been here for a couple of days.  Hoping others come around too with Evening Grosbeaks and Common Redpoll's being top of the list of course!

Of course I'm not the only one who enjoys watching the birds from my kitchen so often have company.  Let me introduce you to Groucho who is just about to get scolded for being on the counter instead of the stool I've given him for watching the birds.  Groucho was a feral cat when I found him and is afraid of just about everything including birds (Blue Jay's in particular).  He is now very happy as an indoor cat where nothing car harm him except his own imagination and paranoia he still has from his time in the wild!  ;-)

And while the birds were busy eating, I'd be busy cooking including the bread I thought about earlier (to go with some of my blackberry preserves canned this past summer) as well as green bean casserole and a roasted chicken and ham which will go perfectly with my new beer of the moment Harpoon Winter Warmer which is delicious in my humble opinion.  ;-)

Take care all.