A year gone

A sad anniversary today as I have reached the one year mark since I lost my good buddy and frequent walking and birding companion. It is hard to believe it has been a whole year since he was here. I still miss our walks through the woods and how he would patiently sit and wait as I checked out the bird life we came across. Kody is gone but not forgotten.

Spring approaches

The middle of March finds spring finally starting to show itself. The snow continues to melt and the temperatures get above freezing most days with some days getting out of the 40's. Some areas have become free of snow while others still have feet of snow in them. New birds have started to arrive including Turkey Vultures, Red winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles as well as the beginnings of the large groups of migrating waterfowl. The birds that remained for the winter have started singing more and more. The first Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebes cannot be too far away.

Winter continues

Red breasted Nuthatch, Covey WMA, Feb 26, 2011
Red breasted Nuthatch, Covey WMA, Feb 26, 2011

Red breasted Nuthatch, Covey WMA, Feb 26, 2011

With one storm of snow and rain yesterday and another snow storm tomorrow it appears that winter has not yet decided to give up its grip just yet. I made it out for a short time midday to get in some fresh air between storms. A brief stop at Quabbin Park found a deer carcass out on the ice being picked apart by ravens and crows as a pair of adult Bald Eagles looked on from the nearby trees. Too far out for any photos. I next stopped by Covey WMA and spent some time around the Fish and Wildlife headquarters as well as a nearby trail. Still just the usual fare for birds but got some fantastic looks at several Red breasted Nuthatch's.

Winter birds at Covey WMA

Northern Cardinal, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011

Northern Cardinal, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011Northern Cardinal, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011

White throated Sparrow, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011

Red breasted Nuthatch, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011

Northern Cardinal, Covey WMA, February 12, 2011

I decided to get out a little this morning to shake the cabin fever I have had with all this cold and snowy weather. It was yet another cold morning with temperatures around 8 with a slight breeze. Although cold, it was an improvement over yesterday mornings -10! I made a loop through Quabbin Park which offered little in the way of activity beyond a Bald Eagle on nest and a couple Common Ravens. I then took a ride over to Covey WMA and walked some of the trails there as well as stopping by the feeder area. I had a nice group of birds along the stream near the Fish and Wildlife HQ as well as near the feeders. There were at least five Red-breasted Nuthatch's, a couple White throated Sparrows and a nice collection of other feeder birds. Nothing too unusual but still nice to get outside.

At home I had a possible sign of spring as a Chipmunk showed up this morning to steal food from near the feeders.

Florida trip continued...Orlando area

Snowy Egret, Merritt Island NWR, January 16, 2011
Roseate Spoonbill catching a fish, Merritt Island NWR, FL, January 16, 2011
Cattle Egret, Blue Heron Wetlands, January 16, 2011

Florida Scrub Jay, Canaveral NS, FL, January 16, 2011
Florida Scrub Jay, Canaveral NS, FL, January 16, 2011


We left the area around Sanibel Island on Friday and made the drive up to Orlando where we would stay for three nights. I made the most of the two full days I had available visiting areas around Orlando on Saturday and making the trip to the coast on Sunday. I did mange a little birding on Friday afternoon after the drive up and went to Tibet Butler Preserve.

Brown-headed Nuthatch, Disney Wilderness Preserve, FL, January 15, 2011

Saturday began at Lake Toho wathcing the birds come alive for the day. I then went south to Southport Road to the end to Southport Park which turned up some new birds inlcuding Crested Caracara, Eastern Meadowlarks, another Snail Kite, several American Kestrels, groups of Sandhill Cranes and others.

I then went to the Disney Wilderness Preserve which is operated by the Nature Conservancy. I was the first one out on the trails and came across some great birds including a large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, a group of three Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, several Bald Eagles, several species of woodpeckers and many other species. I spent several hours here and walked several miles enjoying the warm weather and sun.

On Sunday I took a trip out to the Atlantic coast at dawn beginning at Merritt Island NWR. The refuge was amazingly dry. The wildlife drive that typically would hold thousands upon thousands of ducks and coots was almost empty. I typically would expect hundreds or thousands of Northern Pintails and there were none. The little water left did have concentrations of birds, especially waders that were no doubt feasting on the fish that were concentrated due to the dry conditions. I spent less time here than intended but I also knew there were many other good birding areas around. I next went over to Canaveral National Seashore and immediately happened upon three Florida Scrub Jays. The beach held the typical terns, gulls and shorebirds. One water impoundment on the way to the beach contained several thousand ducks and coots including dozens of Redheads. I made a few more stops on the way off the island but didn't find anything too spectacular beyond a nice view of a nesting Great Horned Owl.

Northern Shoveler, Viera Wetlands, FL, January 16, 2011
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Blue Heron Wetland, FL, January 16, 2011

My next stop was the Blue Heron Wetland in Titusville which was very productive. I had the place to myself and saw not another person for the couple of hours I was there. The number of Yellow-rumped Warblers was in the hundreds. There were numerous waders and waterfowl including a large, vocal group of Black bellied Whistling Ducks. My final stop for the day was in the mid afternoon at Viera Wetlands. This area was somewhat productive but very crowded by the time I made it there. I stayed for a bit but then decided it was time to make the drive back to Orlando. It was a very productive day with some fantastic birds and some good photo ops.

Florida trip Sanibel Island Part 2

Eastern screech Owl, Darling NWR, FL, January 12, 2011
Eastern Screech Owl, Darling NWR, January 12, 2011

Bald Eagle, Darling NWR, January 12, 2011

Reddish Egret (white morph), Darling NWR, January 12, 2011

Sanibel Island continued to provide great views of various birds with the highlight by far being a very cooperative Eastern Screech Owl sunny itself in a hole in a palm tree. The weather was a bit cool at times but again was not bad enough to keep me inside. Enjoy a few more photos from down there.

Hadley farm fields

Horned Larks, Hadley, MA, January 31, 2011
Lapland Longspur, Hadley, MA, January, 31, 2011

American Pipit, Hadley, MA, January 31, 2011

Horned Lark, Hadley, MA, January 31, 2011

I made a trip to some farm fields in Hadley this morning to follow up on reports of various birds in the area. I managed to come across a large flock of Horned Larks (190+) which had at least three Lapland Longspurs mixed in with them. I also found a very cooperative American Pipit as well as another surprise bird...a Rusty Blackbird. The massive amount of snow has concentrated these birds into the only snow free areas around and allows for some spectacular views. I wanted to get some views of these birds before the next big snowstorm hits tomorrow.