Birding Sutton and Uxbridge

I'd head out bright and early this morning with my 1st stop being Purgatory Chasm and wanted to get there before the dog walkers and would hear the many Pine Warblers as soon as I stepped out of the car.  I'd stop here in hopes for a Chipping Sparrow and wouldn't hear one but would hear many Dark-eyed Juncos who can fool you so decided to walk Charlie's Loop in hopes of a Hermit Thrush as they breed here so was hoping one made an early arrival.  I'd be in the zone where I was kind of looking down at the ground, just listening to all the birds calling nearby when I thought I heard a vireo and after a few seconds of listening I realized it was my FOY Blue-headed.

Got lousy shaky video but what else is new!  The song is still lovely though and one of my favorites with how sweet sounding it is.

One of the couple of pictures I could manage.

And another showing of its tail and that thin bill it has.

After walking in about a quarter mile or so I'd give up on the Hermit as I would have heard it by then and make my way back to the car and be happy to see a Chipping Sparrow nearby who'd be waiting for me and this too would be a FOY.  Besides this sparrow other birds would be singing including the juncos, Pine Warblers, both species of kinglet and the few hyper Red-breasted Nuthatches which was music to the ears after this long, dreary winter.

More lousy video and this time its of the Chipping Sparrow calling but wanted to share it as you have a Dark-eyed Junco in the back ground doing its trill call which sounds more bell like.  You'll also see me try and get my camera on the Red-breasted Nuthatches that were chasing each other.  I was so hoping I'd get the Pine Warbler to join in too, but it never did.

After that it would be a quick trip to Oakhurst in Sutton for a hopeful American Kestrel as well as one of the Barn Swallows usually across the street. I'd strike out on both but be very happy to get my FOY Savannah Sparrows and have a nice listen to the many Field Sparrows.

Next would be the Uxbridge Community Gardens for the American Kestrel as well as the reported Northern Harrier.  I'd be making my way down the path and hear many Song Sparrows and other chatter coming from the brambles and it wouldn't take long to spot a bird on the ground with the others that caught my eye.

Hmmmmm......Could it be??????

I think it is!

Woot!!!  My FOY White-crowned Sparrow who'd turn out to be a handsome juve!

I'd call Alan at this point to see if he's gotten the bird yet this year and then he'd ask me if I got the Harrier yet which I hadn't.  I'd still be on the phone and then see the Harrier flying low and be all excited telling him to get here as it's around when I realized we'd been cut off and was talking to dead air.

I figured he was on  his way and watched the harrier and even attempted some photos but this was the best I could manage.

It wouldn't be long after this that I'd finally get my FOY American Kestrel who would not only be fairly close but hovering too which is always a treat to watch.

Alan would arrive as we'd scan the vast landscape in hopes for the Harrier again.  After what seemed like forever Alan would shout out he got the bird and sure enough he did.  It would be funny though because I'd look to the sky for the bird and see one and call Red-tailed and he'd say no as it was a definite Harrier as I got all doubtful in my ID skills for screwing that up when I realized Alan was on a different bird than I was with the Red-tailed right above the harrier.  I'd finally see the harrier and then my eyes would be drawn to another hawk high in the sky and call to Alan to get on it as it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk!  I'd be trying to explain where it was and was happy with my bin view as it was a classic sharpie in flight when suddenly it would change its flight style and doubtfulness would set in thinking it may be the Kestrel.  The bird would vanish and I'd tell Alan maybe I had the Kestrel as I'd kick myself for the mis ID as I was feeling rather self conscience especially after yesterday's hawk (which by the way I now think was a female Coops after sleeping on it and looking at the pics again).  Alan would try and make me feel better by telling me both have long tails, are tiny, etc and I'd agree but it still bugged the heck out of me as I was convinced I saw a sharpie.  To add insult to injury the Kestrel would be perched nearby and I couldn't understand how one minute the bird would be flying high and the other perched, but they are quick and what do I know!

And then finally the bird would cut me a break flying lower this time and right past us to confirm it was indeed a Sharp-shinned Hawk!  I'd be so elated I'd start jumping up and down and smiling as if I'd never seen one before but it was because I was right which was much needed at that point to give my still fragile birding ego a boost as I do tend to be hard on myself at times, especially with raptors for some reason.  Looking back on it I've realized a pattern when Alan and I bird and it seems as if whenever we get one raptor we get a bunch which makes things over whelming trying to manage it all, but very rewarding in the end as I'd pick up 3 raptor FOY's and Alan 2!  Do wish there was a Red-shouldered Hawk thrown in there for good measure though but those birds are tough for me for some reason.

I'd make one more stop to the South Main powerlines in hopes the Barn Swallows had arrived and be happy to hear a lone Field Sparrow as well as my FOY Eastern Towhee!  After striking out on the swallows, I'd hear drumming on metal and look up to see this goofy Northern Flicker pecking away!  I would have taken video but my batteries were close to dead so managed this picture instead.

So now I'm home attempting to take care of some much needed housework.  I've been slacking so much around here that I even bought sandwich meat for the 1st time in months telling my son this would probably be dinner from now until the end of May.  He didn't mind one bit though as he missed his Dietz and Watson and I have to admit, so did I.

Take care all.

Birding Bolton Flats and Other Locations April, 2013

I decided to head to Bolton Flats today in hopes of getting both Yellowlegs on my list for the year but made a quick stop to a place close to home for a hopeful Pine Warbler on my way to the transfer station.  I'd get out of my car and hear a call that had me convinced it was the Pine and was glad to see I was right after locating it.  I'd attempt a photo and this is what I'd get.  Realizing my camera doesn't want to cooperate before sun rise so won't even bother going forward.  I was glad to be able to tell it was a Pine by song only at first considering we also have Chipping Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and yes even Palm Warblers who all make a similar trill call so was happy to see I could tell the difference when it comes to the Pine.

Lesser Yellowlegs (left)  Greater Yellowlegs (right)

I'd then head to Bolton Flats and be happy to see Alan there already and ever happier when he told me both yellowlegs were nearby which would mean it would be the perfect opportunity to test out the new theory I devised in my mind last night while looking at my shorebird guide to get a refresher on distinguishing between the two.

Now before you scoff my theory just hear me out for a moment and see where I'm going with it before you pass the idea off as crazy.  Anyhow, I'm a big fan of black and white movies and think I've seen most of them and have my favorite actors and actresses including both Audrey and Katherine Hepburn (see where I'm going with this?)

Pictures are from Wikipedia and Vogue

Hepburn's=Yellowleg's= Genius !!  Seriously, forget all about bill size and call notes and all that jazz and just ask yourself when your'e looking at some yellowlegs through your bins or scope which does this yellowlegs most resemble and behave like and you have have your answer!!  Let's take the Lesser Yellowlegs as an example.  The Lesser is tall, slender and delicate, exactly like Audrey Hepburn!!  Both the Lesser and Audrey don't stab at their food, they don't clumsily run  for it either but take graceful strides and pick at it because that's what delicate creatures do!

Photos:  Wikipedia

 Now let's look at the Greater Yellowlegs who's a little larger, gangly and sturdier  proportioned just like Katherine Hepburn!  They're more aggressive and confident when feeding and take no crap from any one just like the great Katherine did.  Who has time for gracefully picking at food when running and stabbing is more efficient (think of Bringing up Baby).

I'd run this by Alan and if I'm not mistaken he totally got it (though he did want to know what bird is Spencer Tracy and have to think of that some as it has to be a shorebird)!  Anyhow, I'd use his scope and it wouldn't take me long to pick out the Lesser among the Greater using my Hepburn analogy so do think it works!!!  No need to thank me, really as that's what I'm here for!

A couple of other birders would join us as we looked at some Wilson's Snipe, Killdeer and the Osprey above that was flying overhead.  Other highlights would be a Virginia Rail doing it's "kidick" call as well as one lone American Pipit foraging on the mud flats mixed in with the shore birds which would be an unexpected bonus.  All in all not a bad spot as I'd pick up 7 FOYs here!!!  I'd then head to Pine Hill Road with Alan in hopes for the Ruffed Grouse but would strike out but was happy to hear my 1st Field Sparrow which is always a sign of spring for me!

After a brief stop at Sterling Peat (lots of Palms and Tree Swallows there but not much else), I'd head to St Philips and see one of the Herons on top of a snag with what appeared to be nesting material and wouldn't feel good about it given the size of the branch.  I'd run into Beth and Nancy and they'd agree that this heron will be chancing it if they do decide to try and build a nest.  The other issue is that it's close to the bank to the left of the wetlands which would mean killer views for us, but not much peace for the herons I'm afraid.  We watched the heron for a bit and were thinking maybe it's a young, inexperienced heron, or just has the instinct to arrange sticks as that's what these two were doing last week while the other two were already busy making babies!  Should be interesting to see how it unfolds.  The other highlight would be the many Green-winged Teal and one lone gorgeous drake Gadwall which is always a treat.

And lastly a hawk that continues to mystify me even though I saw it over 2 hours ago.  This would be before I ran into Beth and Nancy and I'd be checking out the Tree Swallows hoping for a Barn when something told me to look to the sky and I'd see a hawk circling overhead with strong, confident wing beats making its way past the tree line and out of view.  I'd get my bins on it and no field marks would jump out and all that would click in my mind was the overall size of the bird which was pretty large and I knew it wasn't a Red-tailed Hawk.  I'd consider Cooper's but the size threw me off as well as the how the bird was flying as it reminded me of a Gos.  Out would come the camera where I'd only get one half way decent shot before it flew out of view.  I'd look at the picture through my view window and I'd dismiss Gos and think female Cooper's Hawk.  I'd come home and blow them up on my screen and at first I'd go with accipiter sp until I saw what may be crescents on the wing tips so was playing with Red-shouldered for a bit considering how it was flying but don't know for certain as I never got a decent look at its tail.  Also notice how pale it is with no streaking neither my bins nor camera could pick up on.

 The only other picture I would manage before it flew off but do think I see some reddish coloring to it which makes me think Red-shouldered again but it never gave me that vibe when I saw it in flight.  I share this with you as a reminder that it's okay to not be able to identify every bird you come in contact with.  I do wish it would have stuck around for a while as I so want a Red-shouldered or Goshawk but there's always next time. While frustrating it's why I love raptors so much as they make me think which means progress.

Take care all.

Black-crowned Night-Heron and Others

Just when you thought you've seen everything there is to see on this blog, I'm about to throw you all a curve ball and dedicate this post to nothing but lousy pictures of birds including the one above seen while at the Millbury Bike Path this morning in search for a Double-crested Cormorant I don't have for the year.  I'd be making my way around the river and spook two Wood Ducks nearby when suddenly I heard a two phased high pitched bird song and would know right away it was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet who'd be in some brambles nearby.  Pictures would be impossible due to lighting but this bird was so close it allowed me the best views I've ever gotten of this bird and was so close I got it without the binoculars which was the perfect way to start the day.

I'd do nothing at lunch except grab coffee and get some pictures of all the excitement downtown with the movie they're filming here where sections of Main Street are now filled with the film crew and curious bystanders.

They spent most of their time changing signs to take Main Street out of 2013 and back to the 70's including the liquor store sign above that is actually a Subway!

I'd head out of the office but check Rick's Site before hand and see he got a Black-crowned Night-Heron at Institute Park during lunch and kick myself for being so busy today as I wanted to get there for lunch but was impossible due to a deadline I was working on so off I went after work hoping it would still be there as this is another one of those birds I want now vs. the fall if possible!  There'd be a lot more ducks on the water vs. a couple days ago when I had the Hooded Mergansers as there'd be some Common mixed in as well.

Mixed flock and the Mute Swan on her nest ::face palm::

There'd also be at least one Green-winged Teal mixed in which was a treat as it was a drake.  I'd take my time birding here and would check every nook and cranny to the park and be dismayed to see no Night-Heron.  I didn't think it would have taken off mid day but figured it was hidden somewhere I couldn't see and start resigning myself to the fact I wasn't going to get the bird.  The Canada Geese would be honking away and it would be then I'd notice some of their notes can sound almost Black-crownedesque at times so spent some time watching them with one in particular as he as about to get attacked by the male Mute Swan nearby.  The two Canada Geese on land would be watching this interaction and making a sound I'd never noticed before as well as some almost nibbling behavior I found interesting so decided to video tape it.

See video above that would be abruptly cut short as I noticed the low battery symbol on the upper left of my camera so would shut it off just in case I spotted the Night-Heron and I needed what was left of my juice for record shots!  I'd continue checking every nook and cranny around the pond when my eyes would be drawn to a mixed flock of both female Common and Hooded Mergs so get my bins on them when suddenly I spotted a bird in that general location that had Night-Heron potential but would be hidden by branches and it also wouldn't be moving.  Hmmmmmmm....Perhaps a rock messing with me I'd think but dismissed it as it was the perfect shape for the heron so took out my camera even though the bird was all the way across the pond and this is what I'd get.

At first glance it would appear to be the heron sound asleep with its head tucked in and that's why it wasn't moving!

A little closer now.  Notice the shape and coloring, especially the black at the top of the head.

I'd get a little closer to the edge of the pond to try and get better photos when suddenly I had the feeling someone was staring at me and this is who it would be.  Not sure if he thought I was there to feed him or was a threat to his lady but he'd get so close I'd move on as I didn't want to find out as I could just picture the voice mail I'd leave my boss telling him I wouldn't be at work tomorrow due to getting attacked by a Mute Swan!  I'd walk toward the car and stop in another area trying to relocate the Heron when suddenly there'd be a ruckus in the sky with a couple of Common Grackles mobbing an American Crow in the same area of the Heron and Mergansers so stopped again figuring all that noise would be sure to wake the heron just to move my 99% positive to a solid 100%.

Ta da!!!!  Look in the middle and look for yellow legs and there's my Night-Heron who got up to see what all the commotion was!  Have I told you lately how much I love crows!  I'd be looking at the Night-Heron with my bins when it suddenly hit me what birding can be like at times.  Does anyone remember the magazine called Highlights??  OMG I loved that and whenever it arrived in the mail I'd first go to my favorite cartoon Goofus and Gallant followed immediately by "Hidden Pictures".  You know what that is, it's when there are pictures hidden within another picture and you have to find it (for some reason Pies were the toughest for me).  Anyhow, that's how birding can be as you try and find the chosen object mixed in with other objects so I guess birding was meant for me even at the young age of 9!  ;-).  The photos above are probably some of the worst record shots I've ever gotten but still take them as it beats giving a written description on eBird when I go to submit my observations as one, I don't take mental field notes (probably should, but being honest here) and two, writers block whenever I do a written description anyhow so go to my Sibley's to help me out (being honest again).  Even lousy photos like the ones above will work if you get the shape, coloring of the bird, etc, more often than not which is why I use my camera in birding as much as I do my bins and eyes!

Take care all.

Pre Work Birding & More FOY's!

I'd get up extra early this morning to get out and do a little birding before work with the 1st stop being Leesville Pond hoping the Pied-billed Grebe was still around and as soon as I stepped out of the car I'd be greeted with song from many birds including the earliest of them all the American Robin.

I'd get there as the sun was rising and be thrilled to see two Green-winged Teal nearby (including a handsome drake) that still looked sleepy as they started searching for breakfast.  The photo above was the best I could manage without any day light and didn't want to use flash to startle them.

It wouldn't take long to find a small pocket of song birds including three Palms who'd be in lower tree cover and even foraging in leaf littler at times which made for some nice warbler birding compared to what's to come in less than a month!

Another warbler would also cut me a break and be at mid tree level which would be this FOY cooperative Yellow-rumped Warbler!

Such beauties in the spring but do wish it would have sang a little as this song was the one last year that always got me so would have appreciated a refresher!

There'd be no Grebe so decided to hit Notre Dame considering it wasn't even 7 AM yet so figured I could make a quick stop and be very happy to pick up a FOY Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as I put these birds into the category of "getting by chance" and the ones that drive me crazy if I don't have them by fall as who doesn't!.  Sometimes you don't though as your'e not in the right place at the right time so it was nice to be both this morning!

I'd decide to hit Institute Park at lunch hoping again for a Pied-billed Grebe which I'd strike out on again of course, but there'd be plenty of blackbirds around including the Red-winged above.  FYI, if your'e ever looking for good places to get pictures of blackbirds, Institute Park is the place to be around lunch time as the sun is perfect and the birds fairly close by.  Add to that they're kind of tame as they live in a park and it's a win/win for photo taking!

The female Hooded Mergs  Rick reported on yesterday have doubled in count as Ihad 20 of them as well as two Mallards but that was it for ducks.

Now the rain comes but not complaining at all as I saw the potential for snow on Friday and that's seemed to  have blown over so I'll take the rain at this point!  Spring is getting here but not as quickly as I'd like.

Take care all.

Peregrine Falcon Update-April 9, 2013

There'd be a change of plans during lunch today as I wanted to head to Leasville Pond for the reported Pied-billed Grebe but as always my meeting would run longer than scheduled which left me only a half hour to get outside until the next one so I decided to check up on the Peregrine Falcon's considering it's around the time they should already be nesting!  I'd make my way around the area and I'd see a falcon flying past the Bank of America building and toward the People's United building.

And the falcon would turn out to be the male who caught himself a Rock Pigeon for a little lunch.  Swoon!

Another picture where you can see the flying feathers of his prey better (which are the white things to the left of him).  I'd keep my eye on him hoping he was going to be a true gentleman and bring the plucked bird to the Mrs. in the ledge as that would raise the likelihood of her nesting in there when two of the construction workers at the site would stop what they were doing to find out what I found so interesting.  I'd point up to the male and one would nod their head in acknowledgement and the other be captivated by him as he had no idea there were falcons directly above him as he worked (in fact, I'd even let him see the bird through my bins).  I'd be happy for the encounter as I'd love to see the construction crew develop an interest in these birds as they have sets of eyes and are at that area all day so will see more than I will and then they can share their info with me of course!  ;-)

Anyhow, we'd be talking about the birds when suddenly off he'd fly with the bird in tow and over to the left of the building which is where I've always guessed they were nesting.  I'd excuse myself and navigate my way through traffic on foot and by the time I got to where he was headed he'd turn around and go back to where he originally was.  Doh!  The pigeon was no where to be seen so don't know if he stashed it or shared it but I'm taking it as a positive sign at this point!

Another positive sign is him being "on guard" looking out for competitors or predators.

While taking some time in between to preen of course!

I'd leave him standing guard and get back to the office to put in a call to Tom French to let him know it was probable she was on a nest and be thrilled to learn that Bill Davis has been in contact with People's United building management who are well aware the falcons are nesting which means they'll be able to access the area to do observation and hopeful banding if all goes well with the falcons!  I did find out one tidbit of info that has me a tad nervous which is building management is going to be doing renovations on the floor they are nesting at but Tom didn't seem too concerned as the plan is to cover the area she's nesting in with brown paper to make her feel more secure while the other area gets a makeover!  I can only imagine how it's going to be received by the female as she doesn't put up with much and have to admit I'm a little concerned for the workers as Tim the maintenance manager in my building told me how she once attempted to dive bomb him once when he was doing work on the ledge of the 446 Main Street building and both he and Juan (the maintenance man) ran as quickly as they could for cover as she meant business!

So that's it for this week.  Depending on my work schedule the plan is to get over there weekly to see what's going on.  I'm also going to reach out to Bill and share information with him hoping he'll do the same in return so I can share with all of you egg count, sexes of the chicks etc if nesting is successful so cross your fingers that it is!

Take care all.

Barred Owl-downtown Worcester

Like many of us I set off to work today in a foul mood with how nice it felt as I stepped outside to warmer temperatures and singing birds realizing I'd be shut up in the office yet again and grumble to myself about how unfair this was with the chilly weekend we just had.  At about 8:30 or so I'd have my office door shut as I had a large monetary discrepancy in an analysis I was doing and didn't want anyone to hear me drop the F-bomb.  I'd be in the zone and thought I heard a faint knocking coming from the office wall next to mine but dismissed it and went back to trying to back into my numbers.  Suddenly my co-worker Jim would sheepishly open the door, apologize for the intrusion telling me to get into his office quickly and quietly.  I'd get into his office and this is what I'd see near his window.  "Holy sh*t" I'd exclaim, "Jim, that's a Barred Owl!!".

Suddenly all hints of professionalism would cease as I'd call out to a couple of my co-workers to get in the office to have a look and I'd run to my own to grab my camera of course.  I'd be beaming something fierce as I ran out the door telling Jim that I needed this bird and that I loved him for getting it for me.  I should add Jim's fairly new and had no idea I liked birds so this must have taken him aback a tad but he handled it like a trooper with a suave reply of "thanks, I'm glad I could help".  :-p

Anyhow, after a fair amount of swooning, I'd get concerned about the little guy and wonder what would posses him to decide to rest up in the middle of downtown Worcester on a bare tree so called Tufts to get their opinion and while they agreed it was odd, there was no case for alarm as there appeared to be no trauma to the bird and was probably just resting but that didn't stop me from checking on it every five minutes or so just to see how it was doing!

Moving over to the other tree to get away from the wind.

I'd only call a couple of people because I didn't want  word to get out as I wanted the owl to get his rest with Alan being one of them of course!

We'd head outside and this is what we'd be greeted with.  I'd realize then the bird looked much nicer outside but didn't dare venture out there until Alan had it in fear it would fly off without him seeing it.

Sound asleep in "la-la land".  I'd tense up when I saw a couple bring their small child directly under the tree with a blanket to sit on and enjoy the day but the owl paid no attention to them and continued to nap with the couple having no idea an owl was directly above them!

Yes, I'm in love.

The bird would so captivate me I'd wind up taking over 122 photos of it and special bonus video!  ;-).  I know I say this with all my videos but please pardon the baby talk and heavy swooning but couldn't help myself.  This is the closest I've ever come to a Barred Owl so got a little carried away, especially while preening which is something I've never seen an owl do before so got a little carried away as how could I not!  You will hear my co-worker Jim telling me he saw the owl go to the bathroom as he knew I was concerned about the poor little guy so would shout out to me whenever any new development happened including bowel movements!  HA  :-p

In the midst of all the excitement there'd be an "Adam 12" like arrest going on nearby with up to 5 cruisers and  paddy wagon across the street from us and it didn't seem to bother the owl one bit!!  I should say this was the one day I was hoping not to see either of the Peregrine Falcon's and didn't which isn't surprising as they've been laying low lately.  I'm going to try and do some investigating during lunch this week to find out what their deal is so hoping they're on the other side of the People's building so I can see if it looks as if they plan to nest there this year.

I'd head on back to St Philips after work as I really want a Rusty Blackbird in the spring this year vs. the fall and would once again strike out but was thrilled to get my FOY Palm Warbler!

I'd spend a fair amount of time watching him as the lovely sound of spring peepers and Red-winged Blackbirds echoed throughout the wetlands and I'd be at true peace knowing this little brilliant jewel of a bird is just a taste of what's yet to come.

Take care all.