Category Archives: migration

Hangars-On–Part B

As we transition to Fall with hints of color in the foliage, there are fewer birds and most are silent. There are migrants moving through and some locals who have yet to leave. Here’s a few shots from the last couple of days.

A few Mallards hang around, but most will leave soon.

I got to finish molting before I’m going out in public.

Hawks have been on the move for a while but I came upon a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks yesterday. They had a major hassle going on with six or seven Northern Flickers, which I watched for about ten minutes. The lighting was poor but the action was cool.

Same tree, waiting for a rematch

The flycatchers are gone but some Eastern Phoebes are still here, wearing their yellowish fall plumage.

These young European Starlings will head out soon.

One of the fun parts of this season is to watch the youngsters grow up, learning their calls and songs, how to forage, and in general, how to be noisy teenagers. Gray Catbirds have been prime examples the last few days and this one just dared me to take his photo.

Hangers-On — Part A

As most of the warblers, hummers, and flycatchers have left for warmer climes, I’ve been looking for birds that are packed but not quite ready to go. Here are some from last week.

Note the leg band on this Veery. Aside from a few chirps, they are pretty silent now.

Ducks, except for a few hardy Mallards, will likely be migrating next month, just in time for hunting season. There are a lot of young Common Mergansers still around.

Likewise, Wood Ducks are out and about.

Most flycatchers are gone but the ones remaining are silent and still confusing.

To me, it’s a Least Flycatcher, or an Alder
Belted Kingfishers are still cruising the river but will soon depart.

While the avian departure is bittersweet, it’s time to recall past winter birding and the prospect of Hawk Owls, Snowy Owls, finches, grosbeaks, crossbills ……

Some April Arrivals

This is a nice time to bird in Vermont as migration continues and almost every day, you can see new arrivals. Here are a few from this week.

Most Tuesdays, Ginger goes to a dog play group. Knowing that Eastern Bluebirds nest on the property, I brought my camera and sure enough.

The following day, I went up to the local airport looking for American Kestrels spotted this bird flying along the road. The photo is difficult because I had to stop on a busy road, watching for traffic as I shot.

Likewise, this Eastern Meadowlark was a challenge.

Warblers should be here soon and with temperatures warming, we are looking forward to the return of many more migrants.

March Backyard Birds – 1

Less than a week ago, we waded through a foot of new powder snow to get out to the river.

White-breasted Nuthatches show up every day
As do Blue Jay’s
Red-winged Blackbirds just arrived
This Carolina Wren has been here all winter

Lots of melting and new arrivals on the river this week – and it’s a great time to anticipate warmer and better days ahead.

Hoodies in the sun

After a foot or more of new snow, the Hooded Mergansers, that were in the midst of the storm last post, were cruising under blue skies the next day, right at the end of our path. Looks like they’re in the mood for a spring fling.

Note: I am having trouble having photos show on the email posts. If you click on the url, they show. Working on it ……

Safe Journey-Redpolls

One of the blessings of this Covid-winter has been the antics of a large flock of Common Redpolls who have been daily visitors for the last couple of months. When I take to feeders out every morning about daybreak, they are gathering in the tall trees, chattering away. Usually there are about fifty, sometimes double that – and once they decide to chow down, it’s wonderful chaos.

Some hit the feeders but others pick up the dropped food.
It gets busy and pretty competitive.
Courtesy of Cornell’s All About Birds

With the forecast of warm weather, I suspect this gang will be heading north in the next few days. Bon voyage!

Snowy Straggler

The other morning, through the falling snow I noticed a bird different from the normal crew of chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers etc. Getting out the binoculars, I was surprised to see this male Red-winged Blackbird pecking away at the suet. I haven’t seen one for weeks so this guy either missed the departure announcement or was passing through from up north.

After a half hour of feeding he departed, hopefully southward. It will be four months or so until we first hear that “conk-la ree” that tells us that Spring in fact is about here.

May Outings

It’s a great time for birding here: birds are back and singing and flirting, foliage is just starting to pop, and it’s getting a little warmer. Here are some photos I took in the last two days.

Several Spotted Sandpipers are on a marshy area just a quarter mile from the house.
Black and White Warblers are noisy with the creaky wheel song.
Chestnut-sided Warblers are back and vocalizing.
This is a long-range shot of a pair of Wood Ducks and their chaperone turtle.
Two Grey Catbirds out back this morning.
Eastern Kingbird
American Redstart.

Birds provide a wonderful respite anytime but especially now. Good birding and good health to you.

Wrens

Last week I came across several singing Winter Wrens on a nearby preserve and grabbed this shot of one, in spite of the dog tugging at the leash.

Yesterday, several House Wrens showed up in our back yard and seemed to be interested in our one bird house.

They’ve been checking things out and bringing in some nesting material — we’ll see.

Here are some more shots — it’s wonderful to hear their singing and chattering.

We’ve had a nice variety of new visitors in our back yard this week including a Ruby-throated Hummer, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Black & White Warbler, and a Spotted Sandpiper. Still waiting for the Great Blue Heron.

Pushing the camera

There are times where it seems like the combination of lousy light and long distance really push the capability of my Canon SX60, as some of these photos taken on walks this week demonstrate. Still, the document some neat birds.

This is one of the three American Kestrels hanging out at the airport.
This Merlin (?) was being mobbed by jays, crows, and a Belted Kingfisher.
Lots of juvenile Cedar Waxwings around.
Common Yellowthroats are still around.
The Great Blue Herons will head out soon.
This Bald Eagle, surveying Berlin Pond, may hang around this winter.