Category Archives: Big Year

Birding Should Not Be A Contact Sport

Friday morning, I took off with the dog early in the morning to see if I could add a Peregrine Falcon to my County Big Year list.  I headed toward Marshfield Mountain, a spot where they nest and are often seen, and we were heading in the narrow access road about the time the morning fog lifted.  It promised to be a beautiful Vermont summer day.

This deer fly road all the way in on the side mirror - I probably should have taken that as a sign of the travails ahead.

This deer fly rode all the way in on the side mirror – I probably should have taken that as a sign of the travails ahead.

Parking the truck and dousing up with bug dope, we headed down the trail, listening to warblers and enjoying the pretty morning.  No one was around — there was no noise other than the dog’s crashing through the underbrush and my humming.  The Deep Woods “Off” was working pretty well. I wasn’t quite sure of the directions and sure enough, took the wrong offshoot of a trail which after fifteen minutes, was obviously leading me away from the mountain.  Reversing, I soon found another offshoot and started on a narrow, root-laden trail through the woods.  Two Brown Creepers greeted me with their calls and cavorting. There were a lot of blowdowns across the trail from recent storms but the traveling was rather easy — and many woodland birds were active.  Then, as I approached an opening where the mountain would be visible, I heard the distinctive call of a Peregrine and got a quick glimpse as it flew off.

 

I moved ahead to an opening and saw the cliffs of the mountain.  I then traversed a rocky area and went on but soon realized that the trail was heading up part of the mountain.  Given the fact that I had a leg that’s been bothering me a bit, I turned around to return to the opening where I could spend some time watching for another Peregrine.

The cliffs of Marshfield Mountain where Peregrine Falcons hang out.

The cliffs of Marshfield Mountain where Peregrine Falcons hang out.

Just as I returned to the boulder-strewn area, disaster struck.  Somehow, I slipped a bit and landed hard on my right foot.  My right leg crumpled and I took a hard fall with excruciating pain.  I yelled and of course, the dog came back to see what was up — I just laid there, unable to move.  After a bit, I attempted to right myself but could put no weight on my right leg.  So, here we are, about a mile in, no cell coverage at all, and no one around.  It was still early, only about 10 AM and I had a water bottle and some food so I figured, if worse came to worse, I could just stay there until help came.  (Mary did know where I was and of course, the truck was at the trailhead.)

Let me just give you a snapshot of the next two and a half hours:  I found a limb to use as a crutch and could only move by holding it with both hands and leaning on it as I moved my right leg, then my left.  It was terribly painful and I was wincing, swearing, and falling down as the crutch slipped, and then broke in half.  I found another and foot by foot, started making it up the trail.  Every root or rock was a potential trouble spot and going down hill was impossible.  I resorted to crawling down the hills on hands and knees, doing the same over  some of the logs across the trail, and under others.  I took some breaks but it was a long muddy sweaty haul.

At one point, I noted that because I was bent over, staring so intently a where to plant the stick and my foot, that I was seeing all sorts of caterpillars and frogs and insects that I had just cruised past on the way in.  At one point, I even decided to check out a warbler and through sweat-stained binoculars, watched a Black-throated Green feeding down low.

I made it back to the access road but even that, relatively smooth, was challenging.  Boggy spots and little stream crossings took their toll and I would go say 50 feet ok, then place my foot wrong, and cry out — and on we went.  There were a couple of uphills I hadn’t noticed on the way in and they were a challenge. I had parked the truck way to the side of the road, nearly in a ditch, and had a devil of a time getting to the door to open it and get the dog in.  The tall grass held back my right foot and it killed me to pull the boot ahead, so I tamped the grass down and slowly moved the foot ahead.  Getting up into the tall truck was also fun — I couldn’t get my right leg under the steering well and finally crawled nearly to the passenger side to get my boot past the brake pedal.  Then we ran the air conditioner, drank water, and gave thanks.

The trip home was tough because I could not lift my right leg to get to the brake pedal.  I finally got into a system of grabbing my leg when I needed to move it and also using second gear to slow down.  I had to go about 20 minutes before cell coverage and called Mary from Plainfield.  Since the dog was with me and it was now pretty warm out, I needed to get her home before hitting the ER.

Mary had lined up our neighbor to help me.  She got the dog straightened out with water and food down cellar and David then helped me struggle from the truck to Mary’s Civic — which is pretty tight even when I’m healthy.  We got situated, to the ER, and went through a series of exams and X-rays.  The folks, on a beautiful Friday afternoon, were great and the results showed no broken bones.  They put a brace on me, got me set up with crutches and some meds, and we were on our way home.  Of course, the leg in a brace didn’t really fit in the Honda, even with the seat way back so it was a tough ride home.  Then, I couldn’t make it up our shed steps so I just crawled into the house on hands and knees, dragging my new brace.

Here's the long stabilizing brace that has the toughest Velcro in the world.

Here’s the long stabilizing brace that has the toughest Velcro in the world.

So, not much has changed in a day.  The doc thinks I might be something related to the knee but we’ll have to see an ortho surgeon next week.  It was quite an effort for County Bird #131.  I think most of my birding in early August will be reading birding blogs — but I’m thankful for getting out of the woods, good health care, and wonderful support from Mary, family, and friends.

Black-billed Cuckoo — check!

As you know if you follow my Vermont Airstreamers blog, I’m in the midst of a major renovation project and thus, am spending little time for birding. This morning, I was tempted to spend an hour or two early at North Branch Nature Center, seeing if I could run into the Black-billed Cuckoo they have been hearing nearly daily.  I have been down there on several occasions recently with no luck — and today I decided to press on and get some errands done downtown.  I came home with my supplies for the Airstream project and after coffee, headed out to strip some clear coat  off two stubborn panels.

I had tested a couple of stripping compounds and had just started to check them when I heard a cuckoo sound just across the driveway and up in the woods.  I ran to the garage to get my binoculars and Mary, whose window was open, said, “Was that a cuckoo?”  I said it was and went up to look for a few minutes but it had ceased calling.  I returned to my project since I needed to rinse off the stripper before it dried on.  About then, the Black-billed Cuckoo called again from a different spot.

A Black-billed Cuckoo on Wood Road in North Middlesex, VT.

A Black-billed Cuckoo on Wood Road in North Middlesex, VT.

So, I had my cuckoo — a life bird and a County bird — but I was not satisfied because up to this point, have always seen the bird I log as a life bird.  I know that hearing it is a positive ID and I worked for about another fifteen minutes, hearing the bird periodically.  Finally, I decided to drop things, get the dog, and go for a little walk looking for it.  And so we did, down the driveway and across the road where I last heard it.  After ten minutes, I caught movement of a cuckoo-sized bird but had trouble finding it in the foliage.  I finally got part of it in the binoculars just as it started a very soft co0-coo-coo.  I fiddled with the camera, struggled to get it in the frame, and snapped off a couple of shots for a record.  I grabbed the binoculars as a second cuckoo joined the first but they moved off before I could get the camera up again.  They moved off, calling now and then, and the dog and I returned up to the trailer to get back to work.

Black-billed Cuckoos have been a nemesis bird for me now for several years – I can’t tell you how many trips I’ve made to look for them.  And two just show up in our dooryard!  Such is birding.   I’m glad I got a good look and the photo – it feels more like a real life bird — number 357 and the second one this month.

Bobolinks and Snipes

The fog was just lifting this morning when the dog and I launched out on a wet birding adventure at the Sparrow Farm trail.  I was looking for Bobolinks since I had yet to see one in the county this year — and no sooner had we left the truck when I heard and saw several in the large unmowed hayfield before us.  They were fun to follow with the binoculars and were very actively flying, courting, and calling.  Taking photos of them was a challenge: they were up and then back down in the grass before I could focus on them.  They were pretty heavy for the wet stalks and sort of drooped down out of sight.  Here’s one just to prove I was there.

I logged six into eBird but think that probably a dozen were there. It was encouraging to see, given their challenges due to the lack of grassland.

I logged six into eBird but think that probably a dozen were there. It was encouraging to see, given their challenges due to the lack of grassland.

I also heard Wilson’s Snipes winnowing – something I had heard before there.  Today, they were flying, high in the sky like remote controlled model planes, winnowing as they zoomed and dove.  I tried some flight shots — what a joke?   They were fast and quite a ways up there.  Here are a couple of lame photos.

You'll probably have to take my word that this is a high-flying snipe. It is an amazing flier,

You’ll probably have to take my word that this is a high-flying snipe. It is an amazing flier,

 

I tried to get this one coming in for a landing. In retrospect, I probably should have tried the video option since they were calling the whole time.

I tried to get this one coming in for a landing. In retrospect, I probably should have tried the video option since they were calling the whole time.

We had a nice walk through the marshy area into the woods and picked up, by ear and site, about 28 other species.  As we finished, the high pitched call of Cedar Waxwings alerted me to a couple just behind me on a low tree.  Here’s one of them.

It's hard to beat Cedar Waxwings for looks - they are cool characters.

It’s hard to beat Cedar Waxwings for looks – they are cool characters.

And then, in a birding bonus, a young woodchuck posed for us.  The dog was on her leash and never saw it — fortunately for my arm muscles.

 

"I know I'm just a rodent but I am pretty cute."

“I know I’m just a rodent but I am pretty cute.”

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Flashes of Red

For the last several weeks, we have had dozens of Purple Finches coming to the feeder and just hanging out in the trees around the house.  They remind us of the influx of Common Redpolls we got last winter. Like them, finches chow down on sunflower seeds big time.  It’s wonderful to hear them sing each morning as I walk the dog — they seem to go on forever and their melodies are delightful.  They have gotten more red in their appearance and are parading in full breeding plumage these days.  Here’s one on our apple tree last evening.

Purple Finches not only sing like angels but are beautiful this time of year.

Purple Finches not only sing like angels but are beautiful this time of year.

Today, I birded early with the dog and got an email from Mary with a subject:  “At The Feeder.”  Because of poor reception on the iPhone, the message did not download — but I suspected what she was writing about.  When I got home, I got cell coverage off our home system and read as I sat in the truck in the garage:  “Rose-breasted Grosbeak!!!”

We’ve been hoping for some orioles because birders in the area have been seeing a few.  Of course, the bird never showed again as I prepared for a doctor’s appointment in Hanover.

Several hours later, after successful lab test results, I got a text from Mary:  “He’s back again.”   Of course, I was an hour and a half away in another state.

Arriving home in the afternoon, I hoped our friend was not just passing by.  Sure enough, about a half hour after I got home, I saw him in the apple tree.  What a handsome addition to a tree already laden with Purple Finches (and a few apple blossoms.)  So, he’s County Bird 95 and we are hopeful that he’ll stick around and nest in the neighborhood.

"Hey, are you pointing that camera at me?"

“Hey, are you pointing that camera at me?”

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Savannah Sparrows

Yesterday morning, I went up to the aptly-named Sparrow Farm in East Montpelier for a repeat visit to a spot where I picked up five new County birds yesterday.  The area is a fine combination of wetland, farm fields, and forest and has a nice variety.  It’s a favorite mountain biking trail but early in the morning, no one is around.  I got another FOY as I ended the outing by crossing a large hayfield.  Perched on a clump of last fall’s hay was a small brown bird, indistinguishable through the binoculars.  It let the dog and I get closer and I could hear and see it singing — sort of a buzzy call.  It was a pretty Savannah Sparrow.

A Savannah Sparrow at the Sparrow Farm.

A Savannah Sparrow at the Sparrow Farm.

Later, I went up to the airport to do a little work on my plane and then took a walk with the dog to check out grassland birds there.  A sparrow came flying across the runway and perched on the perimeter fence not far from our position.  It was my second SASP of the day.

At the E.F. Knapp airport in Berlin, VT.

At the E.F. Knapp airport in Berlin, VT.

So, now I am looking for White-crowned Sparrows which have been reported in the County.  There’ll likely be a few other species, like Vesper, that I will watch for as we head toward summer.  It really helps, this time of year, when the sparrows sing, to help me sort out those little brown jobs.

Springtime Yellows

I went up to Berlin Pond yesterday morning looking for what many of us consider the true sign of spring — the arrival of Yellow Warblers.  I had the truck windows down and could hear them singing before we even parked.  These are the kind of warblers I like — they are at eye level and are little yellow beacons in the shrubbery.

Yellow warblers, even females, are easy to spot and delightful to hear. They bring a smile to birders.

Yellow warblers, even females, are easy to spot and delightful to hear. They bring a smile to birders.

I saw several other FOY birds (Barn Swallows, Purple Martins) as well as a great  selection of birds.  I then went over to the airport looking for new arrivals and way out in a field, I saw and heard my first Eastern Meadowlark.

The meadowlark was way out there and I shot from the truck window -- pushing the camera system big time. They are a beautiful bird -- even at a distance.

The meadowlark was way out there and I shot from the truck window — pushing the camera system big time. They are a beautiful bird — even at a distance.

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County List Update

Four months gone and in spite of pinched neck nerves and out-of-state travel, my list is doing pretty well.  I’m at 79 species and most of those seen with my Vizsla alongside.   I’ve missed some birds early (like Pine Grosbeak) that hopefully I can pick up at the end of the year.  No big deal — this has been an interesting low key effort.  I suspect that my target of 170 is about ten too high but we’ll see as we proceed.  Here’s a couple of local birds I got this week:

I saw this FOY Spotted Sandpiper yesterday at Wrightsville Reservoir wet lands, along with four others.

I saw this FOY Solitary Sandpiper yesterday at Wrightsville Reservoir wetlands, along with three others.

This Warbling Vireo was singing up a storm the other morning at Berlin Pond. It's nice to have buds instead of leaves on the trees.

This Warbling Vireo was singing up a storm the other morning at Berlin Pond. It’s nice to have buds instead of leaves on the trees.

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Looking for Mr. Bluebird

One of the birds I’ve missed seeing for my County bird list is European Bluebird so yesterday morning, I took the dog for a Saturday morning bird walk at the North Branch Nature Center.  I knew that they had been seeing a couple there but I’d missed them each visit.  This time, I saw one before I even got the truck parked.

A male bluebird was staking out a nesting box but being hassled by Tree Swallows.  I watched a dozen swallows chasing each other, harassing the bluebird — just doing their thing.  Now the center has a “leash your dog” policy and since I’m a board member, I adhere to that — so the first thing I did was to hitch Penny’s leash to my belt.  Nothing like having a 60 pound lunger, explorer tied to you while trying to focus on birds.  Even more challenging taking photos but I got a few.

Tree Swallows were competing big time for the nesting boxes.

Tree Swallows were competing big time for the nesting boxes.

Here a male bluebird watches while a swallow races by.

Here a male bluebird watches while a swallow races by.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bluebird was watching it all far away in the community garden.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bluebird was watching it all far away in the community garden.

Penny and I had a good outing, hearing and seeing a number of birds.  It was a certain amount of tangled leash, stopping to sniff clumps of grass (her, not me), but a beautiful morning to be out.  Toward the end of the walk, I heard and then saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet working it’s way around some leafless trees.  I had never heard, knowingly, the wonderful vocalization these tiny guys and gals have.  Here’s a photo I took as it landed or departed — you’ll have to take my word that it’s a kinglet.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet comes in for a landing.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet comes in for a landing.

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A Low Expectation Saturday Outing

Things are really slow birding-wise right now with some of the winter birds gone (haven’t seen Common Redpolls for a few days) and just a few early arrivals.  We’re seeing some Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and a few Killdeer but it will be a few weeks until water opens up more and we get more activity.  So, not expecting much this morning, I headed out with the dog in the truck to check out a few of the back roads.  We had an inch or two of snow last night and the temperature was in the 20’s — nice morning for January but not as welcome, to some of us, in mid-March.

It was early Saturday morning — things just waking up — when I drove into downtown Montpelier.  I noted a swirl of a dozen rock pigeons and then saw a raptor cruising along, having probably made a pass at them.  Big, long tail, easy wing-strokes, and a brief look as it headed west.  I also had to dodge a sidewalk snowplow and city sand truck but the look and the Jizz* told me — Cooper’s Hawk.  I snaked my way up State Street, hoping to see it perched, but no luck.  I pulled over, entered it into Birdlog on my iPhone, and had a new County bird for the year.

Encouraged by such a great start, I headed out on some back roads that we often cruise on local bird outings.  At one reliable spot, I saw a flash of red and sure enough, a pair of Northern Cardinals brightened the dull morning scene.  I saw all the normal suspects (blue jays, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, and crows) and then moved off to a pull-off along the Winooski River where Canada Geese and four Hooded Mergansers plied the icy waters.  Here’s one of the few pictures I took:

Five geese ignore a male Hoodie paddling through the ice flows on the Winooski River. photo dickmfield

Five geese ignore a male Hoodie paddling through the ice flows on the Winooski River. photo by dickmfield

Returning on the rut-frozen River Road, I picked up a couple of Common Grackles – a species that I had yet to see this year — and drove home hoping to spot a Red-tailed Hawk.  Stopping to pick up coffee and a killer scone at Birchgrove Baking (to bring home to share with Mary) made a nice end to a nice outing.

*Jizz is a term used by birders to describe the overall impression or appearance of a bird garnered from such features as shape, posture, flying style or other habitual movements, size and colouration combined with voice, habitat and location.

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Don’t Look Up

I have written about binocular stabilization and have several ideas for posts on places accessible to birders with disabilities, but I now find myself “disabled” and unable to actively bird.  I’ve waited a month to whine about it but with spring and warblers coming, I’m starting to get frustrated.

At the end of January, I apparently damaged a nerve in my neck as I did some exercises in our cellar.  I felt nothing at the time but the next day, my left arm, hand, and pinkie finger were tingling and burning – and have remained that way for 34 days, but who’s counting.  Several days into it, I realized that raising my eyes to look for birds lit off the sensations, and that by lowering my eyes, I could get it to subside.  Additionally, driving the truck is very tough — I just can’t find a relief position for my aching arm.

I won’t bother you with the litany of MRI, PT, traction, and pain meds but let’s just say that progress is not being made … yet.  We’ll figure it out but meanwhile, I’m trying to find ways to bird in this condition.

I need birds down low but virtually all our water is frozen so aside from a few hardy Mallards and mergansers, there’s not much to see.  Likewise, except for a few American Tree Sparrows, not much going on with sparrows yet.  I need to get out and look for male Red-winged Blackbirds which are starting to show up and soon, we’ll start getting warblers.  It’s going to be tough to see them high in the trees.

Black & White Warblers can come down to eye level. photo by dick mansfield

Black & White Warblers can come down to eye level. photo by dick mansfield

So, my non-whining strategy is this:

  • bird by ear more than eye right now,
  • find terrain where you are high enough to see birds level with you (I recall seeing Black & White warblers at eye level on our land)
  • find warbler areas with small trees and bushes — not towering White Pines and Soft Maples
  • Use the telescope, with its angled lens, to look above the horizon

I know that as painful as this situation is, it is temporary.  I just need to actively push the health care folks for action and answers — it’s easy to get lost in the system if you don’t make a few waves.  And I need to continue to develop the appreciation I have for people who deal with chronic pain every day – and still go on with their lives.  So, this will be my only post on my ailments – hold the applause – and we’ll focus on spring birding, our ongoing decisions about RV travel, and my County Big Year (which is pretty much on hold).  Spring will come, the snow will melt, my arm pain will become a bad memory.  Stay tuned.