Category Archives: Covid19

Late Summer Birds

Here are some birds from several outings we’ve had locally during a beautiful but too dry, Fall season. Many of these shots were taken with a Labradoodle straining on with leash to “help.”

This Hermit Thrush was one of many foraging along trails.

This Winter Wren was inquisitive but not ready to hop right out there for a photo.

I’m thinking this is a Broad-winged Hawk, now well on its way south. Let me know if its a Red-shouldered.

A fast-moving Ruby-crowned Kinglet who was too fast for me and my camera. White eye ring.

White-throated Sparrows have shown up in droves recently. It will be nice to see them all winter.

Many birds are moving out and others are gathering to do so. But we have the finches, juncos, and siskins coming. They and the faithful crows, nuthatches, chickadees, blue jays, woodpeckers, and titmice will slug through the winter with us, as we continue to hunker down and get out to enjoy Vermont. Be safe.

Fall Woods Walk 1

Ginger and I have been exploring a local forest and its network of trails. Yesterday, we walked and birded for nearly three hours and never saw anyone.

It was quiet: there were no road noises, chainsaws, people, or dogs – all was I could hear was the jingle of her harness, the chirps and trills of the ever-present chickadees, and calling of crows and the drumming of woodpeckers. It was lovely as the temperature climbed from 45 into the sixties – a perfect Fall morning and a welcome break from the onslaught of disturbing news in the nation and the world.

I took my time and saw a lot of birds but thought I’d first give you a flavor of the trek. I’ll sort the birds out next post.

These old farmlands have a variety of stone walls, old foundations, interesting debris, and lots of natural features that catch your eye. This massive boulder right near the start has a big crack and missing piece that piques the imagination.

Just across the trail is an old hubcap which probably has a story behind it.

The leaves are starting to turn and it’s goldenrod and aster time in Vermont.

A Common Yellowthroat enjoying fall color

Some of the forest is being used for sugaring.

The sap transmission lines are left up year-round.

This tree had an interesting family using it.

Here are a few more shots from the walk:

My Birding Buddy – ready for the next adventure

It is heartening to know that these trails and quiet forest have been preserved and protected for future generations.

Killdeer are here

This morning on a dog walk at the airport, I heard and then saw Killdeer — a neat sign of spring and a diversion from the terrible news around us. The striking plumage, frenetic feeding, and noisy chatter are a nice tonic.

Birds are bringing us a special bit of joy during this tough period of our lives.

Neighborhood Birds

Over the weekend, the dog and I took several nice walks through the neighborhoods of Montpelier. I had my camera along so we had pee stops (her) and photo stops (me.)

This was one of perhaps 50-100 Cedar Waxwings who just showed up for a berry feast and the next day were long gone.

Chickadees brighten winter days and are singing and loving in March.

Even Common Grackles, yellow eyes and all, are a treat against a bluebird sky.

Northern Cardinals are singing like crazy throughout town.

While a pair of Mallards doze in the sun.

Some Backyard Birds

We are fortunate, in this time of limited contact, to have a lot of birds that we can see from the house or on a short jaunt to the river. Here are a few from the weekend.

This female mallard is half of a pair hanging out right out back

Song Sparrows are very vocal every morning.

American Crows picking through the dropped bird seed.

One of the dozens of American Goldfinches we have had all winter – still in winter plumage.

Downy Woodpecker – another ongoing visitor.

Red-breasted Nuthatches rarely stay still for a photo.

Sorting Geese

During these challenging times, one of the safe things we can do right now is bird, and with migration starting, we can see a many new arrivals out back on the river. Yesterday, Ginger and I took a drive to check out some nearby farm fields and we saw hundreds of Canada Geese. I was looking for something like a Snow Goose or Cackling Goose while sorting them out from the roads.