Tag Archives: Wrightsville Reservoir

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.

Long-Tailed Ducks

On a morning with new wet snow on the ground and a snow/rain mix falling, Ginger and I added a little in-the-car birding to our routine before we did some errands. It was a nice venture.

I’ve only seen Long-tailed Ducks a few times — they are relatively uncommon here – but we found this pair resting in the rain, probably after a long night flight.

It was a nice treat and I’m sure they’re already on their way.

A Nice Monday Encounter

Wrightsville Reservoir, just a few miles north, is a favorite spot for Ginger and I to hike and bird. We spent a couple of hours there early yesterday.

Much of the reservoir is still ice-covered but kayaks will be out there soon.
The hiking trails have many side trails and large boulders.

As we approached the beach area, we were surprised to find this Bald Eagle watching us.

I saw a juvenile here last April – this may be the same bird a year younger.

Of course, birding with a dog has its challenges and soon Ginger came trotting along and the bird launched.

Lazily, it soared away, slowly climbing on weak thermals. I watched it for a long time as we walked on, until it was just a speck in the April sky. It’s always a treat to see a Bald Eagle and a nice reminder that there are comeback stories in birding.

Kayak Birding

Five years ago, when I would kayak early in the morning, I’d strap on my iPod and crank workout tunes and paddle hard up and down  the placid waters of our local Wrightsville Reservoir.  I was sort of oblivious to my surroundings as I worked on technique and speed.  That was before I was a birder.

Yesterday, I let the birds provide the music — and did they ever.  I wore my binoculars, covered with a plastic bag, and carried my camera in a dry bag in the cockpit and set out on a quiet, fog-shrouded journey.  Four Canada Geese came honking in and landed with a splash quite near me — we seemed to be the only critters on the water.

Heading north on the reservoir with the still air punctuated by the songs of Ovenbirds and White-throated Sparrows .

Heading north on the reservoir with the still air punctuated by the songs of Ovenbirds and White-throated Sparrows .

I’m not great at bird call identification but had dozens to chose from as I cruised along — I think I had 25 species in the first 15 minutes.  Kayaks let you cruise up close to the shore and approach some birds rather closely.  I was gliding toward a perched Belted Kingfisher for a photo but made the same mistake I can make on land: I moved too quickly raising the camera and spooked him.

Up ahead, a Common Merganser was feeding in the shallows.  I approached her slowly, hardly paddling, and she seemed undisturbed, but just easing away from this big approaching object.  Here’s a shot I took from the kayak.

It's a tough life being a small migratory bird. Studies estimate that half of all adult Ovenbirds die each year. The oldest known Ovenbird was seven years old.

It’s a tough life being a small migratory bird. Studies estimate that half of all adult Ovenbirds die each year. The oldest known Ovenbird was seven years old.

Merg1W

The North Branch River runs into the reservoir on the north end resulting in a short stretch of quiet water with narrow banks and overhanging trees.  It was easy to cruise up to warblers and sparrows — I got some great looks at a Mourning Warbler.

Returning, I spooked two beavers out for an early sapling breakfast and approaching the takeout ramp, saw a gull that seemed out of place.  It let me get pretty close so it was either used to people or not feeling well.  I snapped a few shots and let it be.

A Ring-billed Gull on the shore, perhaps waiting for me to feed it.

A Ring-billed Gull on the shore, perhaps waiting for me to feed it.

It was a great paddle and I logged 35 species, getting a mild exercise session in while enjoying a perfect Vermont morning.  It was the first, but won’t be the last, birding by kayak outing of the year.  Nice way to multi-task.