Yesterday I came upon a dozen or more Wild Turkeys and just like last year’s post in mid-April — the guys were displaying — the hens were in a “get lost, Buster” mood.
Platonic Turkey Love
Early Spring Birds
The snow is melting, back roads are muddy, and every week new birds show up. Downy Woodpeckers, here in our backyard all year, are some of our favorites – and we get to see their fledglings in a few months.
American Crows are very active, hassling hawks like this Red-tailed, and often gathering in groups, known as “murders.”
Likewise, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, recent arrivals, forage together.
Turkey Vultures arrived about two weeks ago. Note the wing dihedral and wingtip feathers.
Another year-round bird which is fun to watch and hear is the Tufted Titmouse. This one was in a tree out back.
And sometimes, nothing is out and about — but this guy popped up in the only hole in the pond. It looks like he saw his shadow.
Some Friday Birds
Ginger and I went out for an outing on the nearby trails mid-day today. The walking was tricky in mushy snow but the birdsong was up-lifting. My first singing Song Sparrows, lots of Brown Creepers and nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, and crows. One who was quietly perched beside the trail was this Pine Grosbeak.
The river is open again and we are seeing a lot of activity, including this handsome Common Merganser, looking for love in all the right places.
Cold weather coming so much of the river will freeze again but that’s life in March in Vermont.
Snowbird
During a letup in yesterday’s snowstorm, I took Ginger down our path for a little outing and looking across the river, saw this Bald Eagle focused on preening its wings and body. Of course, my camera was in the house so I slowly retreated, dog in tow, and returned to take some photos.
I’m pretty sick of snow but never tire of seeing birds like this.
Some Winter Photos
I want to share some shots of winter birds and other items we’ve seen on our daily outings. I’ll start with a quiet and beautiful spot we found the other day.
In the neighborhood, there’s a nice variety of birds – yesterday there was a Northern Cardinal, a Carolina Wren, and a Tufted Titmouse singing away on a section of one street.
This guy was pretty quiet.
Whenever there’s open water, there’s often a merganser or two.
American Crows are out and about every day.
Most of our recent storms have had snow perfect for many outdoor activities.
As we get ready to “Spring Forward” this weekend it’s fun to think about the array of birds getting ready to head northward.
Winter Thaw
A week and a half ago, we were walking on the river while dozens of skaters came and went as we watched. A few days later, things thawed and now the ducks are back, enjoying some early spring-like weather. Sunday, I came upon this couple tucked into the back just upstream from the house.
A week earlier, this couple was foraging downtown in the main Winooski River.
Mergansers are here – not sure where they retreat to during earlier “below zero” weather. This pair of Hoodies are hanging out – I see them nearly every day.
And we don’t forget the faithful few who hang in here all winter, singing every chance they get. I hear cardinals, titmice, nuthatches, crows, and now and then, a raven on most of our walks.
Curiosities
Now that birding has slowed, with many of the winter denizens still delighting us, it’s a chance to think about past adventures. Most of us, when we bird, love to observe other things — for some it’s plants or butterflies, for me it’s unusual stuff along the trail. Here are some items from this Fall.
I guess I should include a bird photo so here’s one from a cantina in Columbus, New Mexico — one of dozen on a “pollo” theme.
See You Next Spring
In spite of wintry weather in December, our visiting Great Blue Heron hung in there until mid-month. Here are the last photos I got before it departed just before Christmas.
I Brake For Birds
This popular birder bumper sticker seems especially appropriate at this time of year when I’m looking for winter birds that can be elusive – Grosbeaks, Buntings, Horned Larks, Bohemian Waxwings, Snowy Owls.
I had some extra time this morning and took the long way on back roads to my appointment. Coming around the corner of a narrow road, I came upon a flock of about a dozen Evening Grosbeaks feeding on sumac. It was a tangle of camera, binos, labradoodle, and caution lights as I rolled the window down and shot. The birds were busy, no traffic passed, and it was a nice little moment.
Now to find some Snow Buntings. Happy Solstice.
Pre-storm Birds
We’ve had a Nor’easter forecast for a week and it’s hitting today. Yesterday Ginger and I took several outings and found a number of interesting birds along the river.
In an early walk, I surprised a few Mallards, only to notice that one was a diving duck. It was a first sighting for this spot, a Ring-necked Duck who was actively feeding for about an hour.
The Mallards were busy in the icy water as well. The second photo is some of them just ten days ago.
We’ve been seeing a Great Blue Heron nearly every day in December but yesterday, he was situated on our path blocked by brush. So you’ll have to believe me but you can see part of his beak and coloration, and his back.
This pair of Hooded Mergansers has delighted us — they don’t breed for a few months but they look ready to rock and roll. Enjoy
